The major components of the dual job pattern of physical education teacher and athletic coach are explored in this article. Recommendations for maintaining effective performance in both roles are suggested. (DF)

School physical education plays an important role in public health. Nonetheless, there are few evidence-based, health-related, physical education programs and very little is known about how to disseminate them for widespread use. This article (a) presents background information and a review of the completed research on the SPARK (Sports, Play, and…

Retaining the professionalism of experienced teachers is important at a time when changing curricula require the integration of new subject knowledge. Through evaluation of Higher Still Physical Education in Scotland, Thorburn and Collins analysed the different ways in which experienced teachers implemented a challenging new curriculum. Only…

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a short intervention program designed to enhance the educators' ability to identify children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Twenty early childhood and 20 physical education teachers (n = 40) participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into an…

A strong physical education program depends on support from parents and community. Information can be offered to the public by instituting community programs and demonstrating student benefits and through the media. (DF)

A well-designed professional development (PD) program serves to deepen and extend teachers' subject matter knowledge and extend and refine their teaching practices. However, professional development programs often fail to achieve sustained change in teacher practices and improvement in student learning. In this study the authors attempt to find…

Educators are facing increased pressure to improve the academic performance of students. This increased emphasis on student accountability has led many school leaders to implement changes in the school day in order to maximize the time that students spend in academic pursuits. Frequently, this has resulted in the cutting or reducing of time spent…

Physical education is a lifelong process with physical fitness being a principal objective. An important aspect of a physical education program lies in the leadership qualities of the teacher. Knowledge and understanding essential to an effective program are listed. (DF)

This article defines accountability in the physical education profession, describes problems related to pursuing accountability, and describes basic steps necessary to achieve change in the organic, psychomotor, cognitive, and affective behaviors of students. (IAH)

This study evaluated the efficacy of a 9-month treadmill walking (TW) program on exercise capacity and body mass index (BMI) for adolescents with severe autism. Ten youth residing in a residential/school treatment facility were assigned to either a supplemental treadmill walking (TW) or control group. Both groups continued to participate in their…

Although physical fitness has become a way of life for many adults, most American children are "physically underdeveloped" by the standards of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The physical educator's role and a plan for improving physical education programs are discussed. (DF)

Guided by the trichotomous achievement goal framework, the current study examined mastery, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance goals and their relations to self-reported persistence/effort among Turkish students in secondary physical education. Two hundred twenty-nine students in grades 8 and 11 completed questionnaires assessing their…

The emphasis in public health on lifestyle physical activity in recent years has focused attention on the promotion of lifetime physical activity as the primary objective of physical education. If used properly, physical activity and physical fitness assessments can enhance individual promotion of physical activity and also provide valuable…

In response to the current federal initiative to evaluate the impact of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Personnel Preparation program, the authors summarize prior efforts to evaluate the program and identify common themes and gaps in that work. Also, the authors pose issues and questions for those who seek to understand the impact…

Background: The widespread and diverse models of professional standards for teaching raise questions with respect to the need to provide teachers with a pathway for continuing professional development balanced with the public nature of surveillance and accountability that may accompany standards. Ways of understanding technologies of power in…