What is Adapted Physical Education

Mission Statement

It is the goal of the adapted physical education program to prepare each student for a lifetime of physical activity, health and well-being, both inside and outside of the school, through the teaching of a high quality standards based instructional program in a safe and positive environment.

What is Adapted Physical Education?

The Adapted Physical Education (APE) department is a diversified program of developmental activities that are modified to meet the county’s physical education standards. A carefully designed physical education program is developed and implemented within the psychomotor domain for individuals with disabilities. Assistance can be provided to students in the general education program and/or along a continuum of physical education services. The Adapted Physical Education teacher must have a credential authorizing the teaching of APE, as established by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Our students range from preschool to high school. You may also hear Adapted Physical Education referred to as Adapted PE or APE.

What is General Physical Education?

Physical education in the State of California plays an integral role in providing a balanced education for the whole child. Physical education makes a unique contribution to the total educational process by addressing the knowledge (cognitive), social (affective), as well as physical (psychomotor) development and skills of each child.

According to the National Association of Sport and Physical Education, “The goal of physical education is to develop physically educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity.”

In January 2005, the State Board of Education adopted the Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools, which serve as the foundation for instruction at all grade and course levels. These standards provide a comprehensive vision of what students need to know and be able to do at each grade and course level in the state of California. The Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools affirms the standing of physical education as an academic content area. The standards highlight the fact that participation in physical activity is not the same as learning the contentin physical education.