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Edited by PE Teacher EDU Editorial Staff
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SHAPE America released revised National Physical Education Standards in 2024. The four standards address movement skills, applied knowledge, social learning, and personal engagement; use the grade-span indicators alongside your state and district curriculum.
Understand the Four Areas
The table below is an editorial summary, not the official standard wording. Consult SHAPE America for the full standards and grade-span learning indicators.
| Area | Main focus | Original planning example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Motor learning | Building a range of movement skills | Observe a selected skill during a planned progression |
| 2. Movement and fitness knowledge | Using concepts to make informed movement decisions | Ask learners to explain why a movement adjustment helps |
| 3. Social learning | Developing interaction skills through movement | Teach and observe constructive partner feedback |
| 4. Personal engagement | Recognizing meaningful benefits and choosing activity | Have learners reflect on an activity and a personal next step |
The framework includes indicators for PreK–2, grades 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12. SHAPE America cautions that indicators are not intended to form a simple alignment across grade spans. Read the relevant span rather than treating each number as the next step in a single sequence.
Connect Standards to a Lesson
Begin with an appropriate learning objective from the adopted curriculum. Choose tasks that allow practice, decide what evidence will show progress, and plan feedback. An activity name such as “basketball” does not explain the specific skill or understanding students should develop.
- Identify the curriculum objective and relevant learner starting points.
- Choose an observable criterion and a manageable assessment tool.
- Plan practice opportunities and purposeful adaptations.
- Gather evidence during the lesson.
- Use the evidence to decide what to teach next.
For example, a teacher-created passing lesson might focus on choosing an open passing lane, then use a brief observation checklist. This is an illustrative planning example, not an official SHAPE America indicator.
Keep the Different Standards Distinct
National PE standards, state curriculum standards, educator preparation standards, and teacher licensing requirements serve different purposes. National guidance can inform curriculum, but applicants still need to meet their state’s certification requirements.
Use the school’s adopted framework and curriculum sequence to determine local expectations. The PE and Common Core guide discusses cross-curricular planning without replacing PE learning goals.
Review the Whole Program
Check whether instruction offers varied practice, appropriate challenge, assessment, inclusion, and opportunities to explain learning. Discuss gaps with the curriculum team. A list of sports or a collection of fitness scores is not, by itself, evidence that a complete curriculum is being taught.
Use our PE teacher duties guide and adapted PE guide to connect the framework with planning and collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the older five standards the current framework?
SHAPE America released the revised four-standard framework in 2024. A district may have its own implementation schedule; check the locally adopted curriculum.
Are national standards a teaching license?
No. Curriculum guidance and state licensing are separate.
Where are the full indicators?
Use the official SHAPE America standards page linked below and select the relevant grade span.
- Use the 2024 framework and relevant grade-span indicators.
- Connect objectives, tasks, assessment, and feedback.
- Check the state and district curriculum in use.