Using your State Organization to Advocate for Expanded Physical Education Opportunities

Abstract In Montana, SHAPE Montana Board members saw the reduction and replacement of physical education with traditional classroom time and decided to spring into action. Collectively, they leveraged their state organization (SHAPE Montana) and created an advocacy program called “The 150 Program” to promote the importance of physical education and physical activity to classroom teachers and administrators. Below are some key strategies this group used to advocate for expanded physical education and physical activity opportunities for elementary school students in Montana. The overall goal of the program was for elementary school students to accumulate the recommended 150 minutes a week of physical activity, with quality physical education being a major component.