What is Physical Education?
Physical education is a core, academic school subject that has a planned, sequential K-12 curriculum based on the SHAPE America (2014) national standards and grade-level outcomes. It is an essential part of a well-rounded K-12 education (Every Child Succeeds Act, 2015). Physical education is defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 as the development of physical and motor fitness; fundamental motor skills and patterns; and skills in aquatics, dance, and individual and group games; and sports (including intramural and lifetime sports). The term includes special physical education, adapted physical education, movement education, and motor development (United States Department of Education, 2017, para 4). Through participation in a high quality physical education program, students become physically literate (Mandigo et al., 2009; SHAPE America, 2014; Whitehead, 2001). The following content standards identify the outcomes of a quality physical education program and a physically literate person (SHAPE America, 2014):
Standard 1: The physically literate individual demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
Standard 2: The physically literate individual applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.
Standard 3: The physically literate individual demonstrates the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.
Standard 4: The physically literate individual exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.
Standard 5: The physically literate individual recognizes the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.
REFERENCES
Every Student Succeeds Act, 20 U.S.C. § 6301 (2015). https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1177.
Mandigo, J., Francis, N., Lodewyk, K., & Lopez, R. (2009). Position paper: Physical literacy for educators. PHE Canada.
Mandigo, J., Francis, N., Lodewyk, K., & Lopez, R. (2012). Physical literacy for educators. Physical Education and Health Journal, 75(3), 27–
30.
SHAPE America. (2014). National standards and grade-level outcomes for K-12 physical education. Author.
United States Department of Education (2007). My child’s special needs: A guide to the IEP. Author. United States Department of Education.
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html#closer
United States Department of Education. (2017). Individuals with disabilities education act: Sec.300.39 special education. USDOE.
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/a/300.39
Whitehead, M. (2001). The concept of physical literacy. European Journal of Physical Education, 6(2), 127-138.
Whitehead, M. (2007). Physical literacy and its importance to every individual. National Disability Association Ireland.
http://www.physical-literacy.org.uk/dublin2007.php