American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Issue: October 2010

How to Raise the  Status of Physical Education at Your School
Karen M. Lux

Abstract: Research has indicated that physical  education (PE) teachers report feeling isolated, having limited (or no) access  to resources, and struggling to be perceived as legitimate professionals by  other teachers, students, administrators, and parents. As time and resources  for PE continue to be reduced, PE’s marginal status is intensified. This  article identifies strategies used by physical educators who have successfully  elevated PE’s status at their school. Based on a rigorous exploration of this  area, five strategies are proposed: (1) create “PE wallpaper,” (2) “see and be  seen,” (3) “walk the walk,” (4) extend “the olive branch,” and (5) become  involved in “academic” matters.

Article category: Public Relations