Through the study of motor development, the physically educated person will understand that individuals develop at their own rate and require both time and practice to acquire new motor skills. The physically educated person needs to know about motor development in order to monitor his or her own change and become an independent learner.…

Background: Many children and adolescents are physically inactive and become even less active as they age. USA high school students' rates of attendance in physical education (PE) classes sharply decline by grade with 73% of ninth graders attending PE, while only 31% of seniors attend. Non-Caucasian youth report the lowest levels of physical…

This article discusses the basis for assessing and grading students in physical education. Although students should dress appropriately for physical education, be physically active during class time, and improve their fitness (e.g., mile-run time), these items are typically not included in the physical education content standards. The vast…

This study describes responsibilities and training needs of paraeducators in physical education. Paraeducators (n = 138) employed in 34 midwestern schools received a 27-item questionnaire. Of the 138 paraeducators contacted, 76 responded, resulting in a 55.1% response rate. Only 16% of the total respondents (n = 76) reported receiving specific…

This study investigated the effects of mastery learning on learner achievement in the psychomotor domain and also sought to identify the specific learner who might benefit from the use of mastery learning techniques. Subjects were college students learning to play racquetball. Fourty-three students were assigned to three intact mastery classes,…

This syllabus, designed for use by administrators, program developers, and teachers, provides local education agencies with a framework for establishing a required physical education instructional program in New York's public schools. Information is presented on education laws and commissioner's regulations regarding physical education, as well as…

This guide for a balanced physical education program identifies key activity areas, offered on a sequential basis for Grades K-12, that develop personal living skills and lead toward the objective of lifetime activity. Learning outcomes of the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective domains are addressed at each grade-level cluster. The guide…

The influence cognitive components have on expertise in sport is receiving a great deal of attention. Recent research indicates that levels of expertise in sport can be differentiated with cognitive components. This suggests that skilled athletes do not necessarily have superior physiological and biomechanical systems, but have the same type of…

Rope skipping contributes to the development of agility, coordination, rhythm, and endurance. It is practical and fun for both sexes. A high degree of motor ability, excellent timing, precision of movement, cooperation, perseverance, and concentration are required. This guide describes rope skipping variations and games, including chants and songs…

This article describes a program in which a sound curriculum is integrated with a meaningful physical fitness and motor ability testing program. A student's score on an 11-item test is used to schedule the student into the appropriate class for the coming year. (MT)

This article describes sensory input systems and reflexes that are critical to normal functioning and explains some commonly used techniques for evaluating neurological development. Skillful use of evaluation and intervention techniques can help neurologically developmentally delayed children reach mature performance levels. (MT)

This study investigated the effect on motor behavior and achievement of giving performance standards to 78 fourth-grade and 80 fifth-grade students. The hypothesis was that individual performance standards help students achieve significantly higher scores than those receiving no standards. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

This investigation examined patterns of participant's movement purpose values to see if there were differences in value due to gender, type of activity, and skill level of participant. Implications of the findings are discussed, and program designs are suggested. (MT)

A recent development in elementary physical education is the use of Schema theory as a basis for teaching and understanding the acquisition of motor skills by children. This theory suggests how children learn and perform a variety of movements. (DF)

Author believes schools must make the physical aspects of education a significant, meaningful experience so each individual can become more keenly aware of, and intelligently plan for, his or her biological need for vigorous physical activity. (Author/GB)