New institutional designs to achieve better results for children

The dominant model for physical education is a 20th Century inheritance. Four historical narratives illuminate the competition and endemic conflicts accompanying its institutionalization. This model is out-of-step with today's realities, needs, demands, and opportunities, and this is one reason why results for children are not achieved at scale. Consequently, "physical education" must be redesigned, including new names and customized prototypes for new kinds of schools. The core design question is: If we hadn't inherited it, would we do it this way? Snapshots of three new prototypes illustrate the possibilities: An after school model, a community school model, and a youth and parent leadership model. To advance this agenda, a new kind of pediatric sport, exercise, and health specialist is needed, and so is interdisciplinary team science. Better results for children hinge on these new institutional designs, and the professions and disciplines who lead and succeed in this work also will benefit.