Factors affecting students' with disabilities views and attitudes toward their physical education experiences in middle school by Cordero, Ibrahim Miguel, Ph.D., The Florida State University, 2002, 140 pages; AAT 3076182

Abstract (Summary)

The best opportunity to prepare the majority of children and adolescents to live physically active, healthy lives is through Physical Education in the schools (AAHPERD, 1999). A fundamental assumption for developing a Physical Education curriculum is that students will be interested in and motivated to learn skills and participate in the activities. It is frequently reported, however, that students are not motivated and do not achieve the learning goals as expected (Locke, 1992).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that affect students with disabilities views and attitudes toward their physical education experiences in middle school.

The study took place in three middle schools in the northwest part of Florida. The schools were selected based on their different characteristics: inclusive, adapted, and reversed mainstreamed classrooms. The student's views and attitudes about their Physical Education class were collected by using the following procedures: (a) a Children with Disabilities Views and Attitudes Physical Education Survey was designed to look at the factors that may be affecting the way students with disabilities view their physical education experiences, (b) class observations, (c) the Qualitative Measures of Teaching Performance Scale Instrument, and (d) student interviews.

The results of this study indicated that curriculum content, teacher behavior, class atmosphere, students self- perceptions and facilities did not affect students with disabilities attitudes and views toward Physical Education.

The students with disabilities in this study enjoyed being active and participating in the Physical Education classes regardless of the quality of instruction, or content of curriculum. The students perceived teacher behavior and facilities as good. Class atmosphere was one of cooperation and never in the study did students argue or pick on somebody else.

Lack of individualization, lack of knowledge, classmates cooperation, under expectations, lack of activity, lack of direction, and waste of Physical Education time were the common themes revealed from this research.

Indexing (document details)

Advisor: Ratliffe, Thomas

School: The Florida State University

School Location: United States -- Florida

Keyword(s): Disabilities, Physical education, Middle school, Children with Disabilities Views and Attitudes