Introduction <p>In the sense of democratic participation, the engagement of students in educational processes is an educational goal and cross-sectional task of teaching in schools. Therefore, it is also relevant for the subject physical education. To date, however, no survey instrument has been available that is sensitive for different types of engagement in physical education.</p> Methods <p>Based on the aspects of democratic participation in school (co-determination and decision-making, co-speech and negotiation as well as co-design and active engagement) and specified framework conditions of physical education (planning and analysis, opening, warm-up, set-up and dismantling, form of play or exercise, conclusion as well as assessment), a&#xa0;questionnaire was conceived in a&#xa0;matrix design and tested on two samples of a&#xa0;total of 544 students from ten different secondary schools in the Austrian province of Styria.</p> Results <p>A&#xa0;scale with 15&#xa0;items resulted from the testing process (Cronbach’s α &gt; 0.90). Factor analyses indicate two factors that point to active engagement in action as well as reflective processes. Reliability and validity analyses with constructs from the self-determination theory of motivation highlight that the questionnaire is a&#xa0;suitable survey instrument useable in physical education lessons for students aged 12&#xa0;or more years.</p> Conclusion <p>Besides demonstrating opportunities for students’ engagement in physical education, the questionnaire serves as a&#xa0;pedagogical tool to discuss and develop engagement opportunities together with students.</p>