ERIC Number: EJ1458131
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0273-5024
EISSN: EISSN-1543-2769
Physical Educators' Attitudes toward Teaching Students with Disabilities after a Paralympic School Day Professional Development Program
Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, v44 n1 p40-48 2025
Purpose: This study aimed to examine physical educators' attitudes toward teaching students with disabilities in general physical education after participating in a Paralympic School Day professional development program. Methods: Elementary through high school physical education teachers participated in a Paralympic School Day professional development program. Data from focus groups and written reflections were analyzed deductively and inductively using a three-step approach. Results: The analysis revealed five interrelated themes: (a) "you're trying to accommodate everyone, and so it's hard"; (b) "putting yourself in other people's shoes"; (c) "I definitely want to use these ideas"; (d) "It made me think about all of my students"; and (e) "not talking is the hurtful action." Discussion: Following the Paralympic School Day professional development program, physical educators described a shift in attitudes characterized by a desire to implement inclusive teaching practices and an enhanced focus on promoting conversations with individuals with disabilities.
Descriptors: Physical Education Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Students with Disabilities, Faculty Development, Program Effectiveness, Athletics, Attitude Change, Elementary Secondary Education, Consciousness Raising, Inclusion, Teacher Role, Accessibility (for Disabled)
Human Kinetics, Inc. 1607 North Market Street, Champaign, IL 61820. Tel: 800-474-4457; Fax: 217-351-1549; e-mail: info@hkusa.com; Web site: http://journals.humankinetics.com/journal/jtpe
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Virginia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A