School Health Index
A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide

A: Activity areas include basic movement skills; physical fitness; rhythm and dance; games; team, dual, and individual sports; tumbling and gymnastics; and aquatics. Varied activities promote each student's optimum physical, mental, emotional, and social development.

A: Yes, the Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT) can help schools assess how closely the physical education curriculum aligns with national standards, and it can help identify changes needed.

A: Yes, the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) is a multi-component approach by which school districts and schools use opportunities for students to be physically active, meet the nationally-recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime. Learn more in the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program course.

A: Opportunities for physical activity during the day can be incorporated into home room periods and active recess. Teachers can also include physical activity into their planned academic lessons, which can be done all at one time or several times during the school day.

A: Examples of physical activity programs include Safe Routes to School, physical activity clubs, intramural programs, and interscholastic sports.