The intention of this paper is to provide reference material to states, school districts, and local schools who seek assistance in curriculum development and maintenance of quality programs in physical education. The guidelines are based on the 5-point definition of the physically educated person that was developed by the National Association for Sports and Physical Education. The document presents component elements and purposes of the program guidelines; defines a physically educated person; identifies 10 outcomes of a physical education program for grades 6-8; discusses principles and teacher objectives for designing appropriate instructional activities; and provides lists of projected outcomes, objectives, and sample activities for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students. Three appendices provide a grade level activity matrix; a description of characteristics and needs of middle school children--implications for physical education programs; and principles for designing appropriate practice activities for the acquisition of specific motor skills including an example of a task analysis, which is useful in identifying the essential characteristics and degree of performance complexity in its skilled form. (Contains 35 references.) (LL)