Physical activity can meaningfully influence educational outcomes. However, physical activity among youth remains insufficient (World Health Organization, 2018).Youth who are not physically active are more likely to encounter chronic health issues including obesity, depression, and anxiety (Bartelink et al., 2019, Bélair et al., 2018, Krebs, 2003). School-sponsored physical education (PE) is one way for students to participate in physical activity. Nevertheless, many school administrators respond to pressures to increase student standardized test scores by replacing access to PE with more time in tested subjects (Center on Education Policy, 2007, 2008). This study explores national associations of PE policies and academic achievement on standardized tests through a fixed effects panel data analysis. Findings enhance the limited literature on PE policy associations with academic achievement.