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Trends in States Reporting on Physical Education and 
Physical Activity Requirements and Fitness Assessments 
Implementing laws that require a reporting mechanism is one way to 
monitor compliance. Table 2-7 shows trends in state and school district 
policies that address some kind of formal reporting to stakeholders, such as 
a school board, parents, or the state. The table shows that most states and 
districts currently do not require formal reporting on physical education 
and physical activity in schools. Where such a requirement exists, it may 
include reporting on mandatory minutes or participation rates for physical 
education and other school-based physical activity. For example, the law 
might state: “The district will report to the State Board of Education by 
June 15th (each year) the daily physical education/physical activity for stu-
dents by school, grade, and class.” Policies may also require reporting of the 
results of fitness assessments (e.g., Fitnessgram
®
, Presidential Fitness Test, 
Activitygram
®
) to parents, the school board, or the state. The requirement 
might read: “Students’ health-related fitness reports will be shared with 
parents/legal guardians at grades 5 and 8 and in high school.” 

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Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
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