Society of Health and Physical Educators, America (SHAPE America) Gets My Vote

Roberta Park, a noted physical education historian, has suggested that physical education (and I would also include health education) can become the renaissance field of the 21st century. She makes the case that medicine was a fledgling field prior to 1900, but became the renaissance field of the 20th century. The development of the medical sciences, strong delivery programs (treatment, prevention, and promotion), strong medical training programs, and a strong professional organization were the keys.

At this point in our professional history I believe that Park makes a good point! Health and physical educators are primed to do good things in the years ahead. Our ever-evolving scientific base has grown in recent years, just as medicine’s did in the previous century. We have the support of major medical groups (AMA, AHA, AAP, IOM), governmental groups (CDC, PCFSN, USDHHS), and other well-known public and professional organization (ACSM, NFL, NAK, NAKHE) to name only a few. In addition, the prestigious Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently published two reports related to our field. New standards for teacher education bode well for improved teacher education in our field, a necessary prerequisite for the type of success enjoyed by the field of medicine.

Major initiatives have been implemented in support of Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAPS) with quality physical education as the centerpiece (CDC, AAHPERD). Comprehensive health education is also a strong priority of the CDC and other groups. We have a new cooperative agreement for a Presidential Youth Fitness Program (PYFP) supported by multiple cooperating agencies including AAHPERD, Physical Best, the President’s Council, the Cooper Institute (FITNESSGRAM®), AAU, CDC, and the new National Foundation for Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (NFFSN). Parental support for health and physical education is also strong. According to a Harvard survey, more than 90% of parents support health and physical education in the schools.

Let’s not squander this support. Carpe diem! Now is the time to seize the day! We (health and physical educators) have a unique, but time sensitive, window of opportunity to do good things for America’s youth. For too long we have “played the name game,” debating and arguing terms within our field. We’ve missed opportunities that others have seized upon. It is time to move on.

As a life member of AAHPERD, I have seen many changes (in name and organizational structure) since first joining as a student member in 1958. On October 17, I learned of the proposed new name (Society of Health and Physical Educators—SHAPE America) for the reorganized AAHPERD. I was not involved in choosing this name. Like most AAHPERD members, I’ve thought about possible names. No doubt we all had possible names in mind.

I confess that I was surprised by the new name that was chosen. I also confess that I initially had some reservations. On reflection however, I decided that the name reflects who we are—we are a professional group of health and physical educators. The name is simple and easy to remember. The name will not be what distinguishes us in the future. It is what we DO as a group that matters. This name will work if we make it work.

Accordingly, I urge all members to vote in favor of the new name. A “yes” vote allows us to move forward. SHAPE America, with our support and effort, can be THE strong professional organization that is necessary to help us seize the unique opportunity presented to us—becoming the renaissance field of the 21st century.