Stakeholders’ Perspectives on K-12 Physical Education: A Systematic Review

Despite recognition of the benefits of physical education, its status and implementation within school systems vary. Given the complex ecosystem of physical education, which involves multiple stakeholders and multiple contextual factors, understanding stakeholders’ perspectives is central to identifying opportunities for collaboration and securing necessary support for physical educators. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the literature on stakeholders’ perspectives on the purpose of K-12 physical education. Through electronic and manual searches, twenty-six articles (1980–2024) were identified and reviewed following the PRISMA procedure. Findings supported the recognition of physical education’s benefits among stakeholders, though there were differences in priorities. For instance, school principals perceived that physical education is important primarily for promoting overall health and wellness, while classroom teachers emphasized the importance of affective learning. The results of physical education teachers demonstrated their expertise in the subject. A notable gap in perspectives exists among students, whose primary focus was on enjoyment and relaxation from academic demands. These findings underscore the importance of physical educators’ role in communicating the values and outcomes of physical education. Moreover, there was a lack of perspectives from decision-makers at the national, state, and local levels. Future studies are critical to exploring their perspectives on physical education to secure the necessary support to continue improving the quality and quantity of physical education.