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

Preparing Classroom Teachers to Meet Student's Physical Activity Needs
Tina J. Hall, Stephanie Little, & Brent D. Heidorn

Abstract: Compared to physical educators, elementary classroom teachers are ill-prepared to teach physical education, as they are often required to take only one class in teaching physical education during their preparation program. In recent years, the establishment of a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) has emerged as a potential strategy to increase students' physical activity level. Because classroom teachers play an essential role in the CSPAP, this article proposes that teacher education programs revisit how classroom teachers are prepared. This article provides both justification and suggestions for a change from the notion of preparing classroom teachers to teach physical education to preparing them to orchestrate and promote quality physical activity among their students.  

Article Category: Professional Preparation