ERIC Number: EJ1355565
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Jun
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2167-3454
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Descriptive Probe into Current Introduction to Adapted Physical Education Courses in the United States of America
Wilson, Kylie; McNamara, Scott W. T.; Lieberman, Lauren J.
Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship, v11 n2 Article 5 Jun 2022
The number of public-school students with disabilities has increased in the last decade, as has support for teaching students with and without disabilities in the same setting. Consequently, sufficient adapted physical education (APE) training for pre-service physical education teachers is critical to ensure meaningful physical education experiences for all students. Few studies on how physical education teacher education (PETE) programs are preparing future physical educators to teach students with disabilities exist. The purposes of this study were to preliminarily describe current undergraduate APE introductory courses, including: (a) instructor demographics, (b) course characteristics, (c) course content and (d) practicum experiences. Twenty-six faculty members currently teaching an introduction to APE course completed a 35-item web-based survey (26% response rate). Demographic characteristics of instructors were mainly homogenous, suggesting a lack of diversity among those teaching these courses. Twenty-four reported their program offered a practicum. Varying coverage of APE concepts explicates important content gaps in curricula that may hinder the quality of physical education services for students with disabilities. These findings deepen the understanding of who is instructing the courses, how the APE introductory courses are being taught across the US, and can serve as a reference for creating and improving PETE programs.
Descriptors: Adapted Physical Education, Preservice Teachers, Physical Education Teachers, Preservice Teacher Education, Students with Disabilities, Undergraduate Students, Service Learning
Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship. 2496 Prospect Drive, Upland, CA 91784. Tel: 909-985-8578; Fax: 909-985-8578; e-mail: snam@csusb.edu; Web site: http://www.josea.info
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A