School Physical Education Policies and Practices and Student Physical Education Attendance

Abstract

This study examined how state-level measures of school-reported physical education (PE) provisions and exemption practices correlated to student-reported PE attendance among high school students, using data (n=50077) from state-representative schools and students from multiple states. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the association of the frequency of PE attendance with schools’ PE provision and exemption, controlling for student characteristics. The percentage of schools offering PE for all grades was positively associated with PE attendance more strongly among girls and higher-grade students. Permissive exemption policies were not associated with PE attendance. Offering PE for all grades may enhance PE attendance.