Background: The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 examined 8 components of school health programs: health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health and social services, nutrition services, healthy and safe school environment, faculty and staff health promotion, and family and community…

For nearly 20 years the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has been conducting the Shape of the Nation Report every few years to summarize information for the profession and the public regarding the status of physical education in the American educational system. The preeminent national authority on physical education…

"A sound mind in a sound body," as advocated by the German Turner movement, has become a part of our American heritage in the field of physical education. The impact this German philosophy and training has had on the education of physical education teachers is discussed. (JMK)

This paper explores the scientific evidence that has been gathered on the contributions and benefits of physical education and sport (PES) in schools for both children and for educational systems. Research evidence is presented in terms of children's development in a number of domains: physical, lifestyle, affective, social, and cognitive. The…

This review characterizes physical activity behavior in youth with intellectual disability (ID) and identifies limitations in the published research. Keyword searches were used to identify articles from MEDLINE, EBSCOhost Research Databases, Psych Articles, Health Source, and SPORT Discus, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses up to June 2007.…

Elementary school physical education in the 1950s espoused the aims of complete education through programs which emphasized mastery of skills in games, sports, dance, and similar activities. Since the middle of the 1960s, movement education has gained in popularity as both a methodology and as a program focusing on learning through efficient…

Teacher education programs for physical education teachers have deemphasized the subject matter of physical education and instead have defined the profession in terms of the methods, processes, and procedures of pedagogy. Among the many reasons for this change in emphasis is the belief that generic information processing skills can be acquired…

This article examines the philosophic basis of play in physical education. Specifically discussed are: (1) current and historical perspectives of play in physical education; (2) why physical educators have an aversion to play in the classroom; (3) and the immediate need for the play-directed experience to be the cornerstone of physical education.…

Current research on teacher effectiveness is reviewed as it applies to physical education teachers. Eight teaching behaviors are explored from the perspective of physical education. Some problems in applying the research to actual school situations are presented. (Author/MT)

Since federal and state laws directly influence the professional activities of physical educators, it is essential to understand the implications of particular laws and regulations as well as legal processes. Some misconceptions about the law are examined, and techniques by which physical educators can affect educational policy are explored. (JN)

This documentary statement was prepared in response to those members participating in the 18th International Congress of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, who recommended in August 1975 that member countries prepare a statement on current status of health, physical education and recreation. Attention is…

The article defines educational malpractice; identifies early cases; describes contemporary cases in special education, testing, and physical education; and summarizes elements for professionals to consider in program planning and curricula reform which will reduce the risk of a malpractice judgment. (CB)

The article outlines the occupational socialization perspective of the physical education curriculum by exploring 11 primary assumptions which call attention to the relationship among teachers, teacher educators, curricula, and social structure. (Author/CB)

Background: Comprehensive school-based physical activity programs consist of physical education and other physical activity opportunities including recess and other physical activity breaks, intramurals, interscholastic sports, and walk and bike to school initiatives. This article describes the characteristics of school physical education and…

In physical education, the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) pedagogical strategy has attracted significant attention from theoreticians and educators for allowing the development of game education through a tactic-to-skill approach involving the use of modified games. However, some have proposed that as an educational framework, it lacks…