Why should I care about Physical Education?
Physical Education (PE) gives students the knowledge and skills they need to be physically active throughout their lifetimes. Physical activity, in turn, helps strengthen the body, improve self-esteem, lower anxiety, prevent obesity, and prevent a variety of diseases. (See the Physical Activity page for more).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other national organizations recommend daily PE for all students (150 minutes per week for elementary school students; 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students). Few, if any, schools in Rhode Island currently meet that recommendation.
Physical Education also supports learning and academic achievement in other areas. Research suggests that increasing time for PE classes may lead to higher test scores in core subject areas - even when that means less time devoted to instruction in those core areas – especially with high-quality PE programs that engage all students and keep them active a majority of the time.
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What is difference between Physical Activity and Physical Education?
Physical Activity and Physical Education are not the same.
Physical Activity (PA) is any movement of the body that expends energy, such as exercise, sports, dance, swimming, lifting weights or other body movements that result in an increased heart rate. Physical activity also includes daily activities like walking, taking the stairs, or raking leaves.
Physical Education (PE) is a sequential, developmentally appropriate K to 12 curriculum and instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity. It helps students to develop the knowledge, motor skills, self-management skills, social skills, attitudes and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physical activity throughout their lives.
“School physical education programs offer the best opportunity to provide physical activity to all children and to teach them the skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain an active lifestyle… Opportunities to accumulate physical activity during the school day include time spent in physical education class, classroom-based movement, recess, walking or biking to school, and recreational sport and play that occurs before, during, and after school.”
- National Association for Sport & Physical Education (NASPE)
To learn more check out NASPE’s “Understanding the Difference… Is it Physical Education or Physical Activity?”
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What are Rhode Island's state requirements for Physical Education?
Physical Education Required
Physical Education is required for all students in grades 1-12 according to RI General Laws §16-22-4 and Sec. 3.5 of the Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs. Students should receive an average of 100 minutes per week of health and physical education. Recess, free play, and after-school activities are not counted as physical education, as stated in the Basic Education Program (p. 149) (the
Regulations Governing the Length of the School Day also note that recess is not counted as instructional time).
Instruction in physical education should be co-educational, with the exception of contact sports (see Basic Education Program, p. 150 and RIGL §16-38-1.1).
Physical Education Standards
The Rhode Island Physical Education Framework has been endorsed by the Rhode Island Board of Regents to guide physical education curriculum, instruction and assessment.
Adapted Physical Education (APE)
According to Sec. 300.108 of the Regulations Governing the Education of Children with Disabilities, physical education - specially designed if necessary - must be provided to children with disabilities who are receiving Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (See relevant definitions in Sec. 300.39).
Each child with a disability should have the opportunity to participate in the regular physical education program, unless:
- The child is enrolled full time in a separate facility; or
- The child needs specially designed education, as prescribed in the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Certification
Physical education at all grade levels must be taught by a certified in Physical Education teacher. Certification of Physical Education teachers is governed by the RI Requirements for Special Subjects Certificate. There are also separate RI Requirements for Endorsement in Adapted Physical Education.
District Health & Wellness Subcommittee
Also, because of a Rhode Island law passed in 2005 (See RIGL §16-21-28, §16-2-9(a)(24) and (a)(25), and §16-7.1-2(h)), every school district is required to have a District Health & Wellness Subcommittee. That Subcommittee is charged with making recommendations to the full school committee on physical education curriculum and instruction, as well as on health education, nutrition, and physical activity. Strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of students and staff involving these four issues should also be incorporated into the district’s strategic plan. (See also
Sec. 2.10-2.14 of Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs).
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What are some of the best practices for schools around Physical Education?
Best practices include:
- Require daily physical education or adapted physical education for all students throughout the school year (150 minutes per week for elementary school students; 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students).
- Do not allow exemptions from required physical education for participation in other activities (e.g., interscholastic sports, band, chorus, other academic classes).
- Provide skills-focused instruction, as part of a comprehensive, sequential, culturally-appropriate K-12 physical education curriculum, that is aligned with Rhode Island standards and that includes all of the following:
- Competence in motor skills and movement patterns;
- Understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics;
- Regular participation in physical activity;
- Achievement and maintenance of a health-enhancing level of physical fitness;
- Responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others;
- Value for physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction;
- Promotion of student participation in community physical activity opportunities; and
- Requirement that students, grades 6-12, design and implement individualized physical activity plans.
- Provide physical educators with the following:
- Goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for physical education;
- A written physical education curriculum aligned to the Rhode Island Physical Education Framework;
- A chart describing the annual scope and sequence of instruction for physical education;
- Plans for how to assess students in physical education, including assessing all standards and objectives and the appropriate use of fitness tests.
- Require physical education to be taught only by physical education specialists, who are certified to teach physical education in Rhode Island.
- Require that physical education teachers participate in professional development at least once per year and allocate funds and release time to support that.
- Have one or more than one person who oversees physical education.
- Employ instructional strategies to keep students active at least 50% of class time during physical education classes.
- Require a teacher/student ratio in physical education that is comparable to that of other classes.
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What data are available about Physical Education in Rhode Island?
Quick Facts
- 87% of Rhode Island high school students reported having attended PE class at least once a week (2005 RIYRBS).
- Students have been increasingly active during PE classes. In 2005, 87% of high school students reported exercised or played sports for more than 20 minutes during an average PE class, compared to only 67% in 1997 (RIYRBS).
- Between 97 and 100% of RI middle and high schools required physical education in each grade (2006 Profiles).
More Data
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I'm a parent... Where do I go for parent information and resources about Physical Education?
Parent Brochures from the National Association for Sport & Physical Activity (NASPE)
Families can order free brochures on family fitness and quality physical education.
Center for Advancement of Standards-Based Physical Education Reform (CASPER)
CASPER helps parents make sure their children are being taught by trained, high quality physical education teachers.
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I'm a teacher... What resources are available on Physical Education?
PE Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
NASPE is the largest national professional organization for Physical Educators. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge and professional practice in sport and physical activity through scientific study and dissemination of research-based and experiential knowledge to members and the public. NASPE has several tools for teachers including:
- Moving into the Future: National Standards for Physical Education, 2nd Edition – the national standards define what a student should know and be able to do as result of a quality physical education program. They provide a framework for developing realistic and achievable expectations for student performance at every grade level.
- Teacher’s Tool Box! – a monthly place to share ideas for promoting your quality physical education, physical activity, and youth sports programs.
- What is a quality physical education program? – including “Opportunity to Learn” Standards, meaningful content, and more.
- Appropriate Practices documents – booklets that describe physical education practices in the best interests of children at the Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. They include guidelines for curriculum design, learning experience, fitness activities, fitness testing, assessment, participation levels, forming groups, competition, and many others.
- NASPE Forum – an online discussion area on physical education topics (co-sponsored by PELinks4U, and Sportime).
- NASPE-talk – a listserv for PE professionals (co-sponsored by Sportime).
- Physical Best - a comprehensive health-related fitness education program developed by physical educators for physical educators.
PE4Life
PE4Life promotes model PE programs, provides resources and trainings for teachers. They sponsor National PE Day, run an online PE Discussion Forum, and host the PE4life Academy – an information-packed, engaging training, offering some innovative approaches in physical education delivery.
PElinks4U
This site offers links to recent articles, resources, and trainings.
PE Central
This is a web site for health and physical education teachers, parents, and students that provides the latest information about developmentally appropriate PE programs. Also see their Integrated Lesson Ideas, for physical education teachers who wish to teach integrated content.
Research Tested Intervention Programs (RTIPs)
The National Cancer Institute maintains a list of evidence-based physical activity programs, including
President’s Challenge - Programs for Educators
President's Challenge offers the Physical Fitness and Health Fitness programs for educators, so teachers can bring out the best in their students.
Cooper Institute’s FITNESSGRAM/ACTIVITYGRAM
FITNESSGRAM is a health related physical fitness assessment. Each of the test items was selected to assess important aspects of a student's health related fitness, not skill or agility. Students are compared not to each other, but to health fitness standards carefully established for each age and gender, that indicate good health. See also FITNESSGRAM/ACTIVITYGRAM.
Adapted PE Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS)
These are the 15 standards for Adapted Physical Education - Physical Education which has been adapted or modified, so that it is as appropriate for the person with a disability as it is for a person without a disability. Also see the Adapted Physical Education National Standards Study Guide.
PE Central’s Adapted Physical Education page
This site offers adaptations, research, products, trainings, and more.
adapt-talk listserv
Sportime offers a listserv for Adapted PE teachers.
PELinks4U’s Adapted PE page
This site offers links to recent articles, resources, and trainings.
Professional Development
Rhode Island Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance is the Rhode Island affiliate of the AAHPERD professional association for health educators, physical educators, and those involved in leisure, fitness, dance, and other specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle.
PE4Life
PE4Life promotes model PE programs, provides resources and trainings for teachers. They sponsor National PE Day, run an online PE Discussion Forum and offer the PE4life Academies – information-packed, engaging
opportunities to access some of the most innovative approaches in physical education delivery.
Action Based Learning
Action Based Learning is an educational consulting firm featuring Consultant and Speaker Jean Blaydes Madigan. Jean's dynamic presentations cite brain research that demonstrates the importance of movement in the learning process.
Bonnie’s Fitware, Inc.
Bonnie Mohnsen offers a variety of software, instructional materials, tools and trainings for PE teachers to incorporate technology into their instruction and assessment.
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I'm an administrator... What tools for schools are available on Physical Education?
NASPE School Physical Education Program Checklist
This is a simple tool to assess principals, teachers and parents cam use to conduct an assessment of their school's physical education program – evaluate its strengths and weaknesses and encourage a plan for improvement where needed.
NASPE Physical Education Teacher Evaluation Tool
This tool identifies the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to provide sound instruction in the K-12 physical education classroom. Its purpose is to assist principals and school district curriculum specialists who evaluate physical education teaches as well as to guide physical education teachers in reflection and self-assessment, and serve as an instruction tool in college/university physical education teacher education programs. This tool is available in Word format and in pdf format.
Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT)
The PECAT will help school districts conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of written physical education curricula, based upon national physical education standards. The PECAT is customizable to include local standards. The results from the analysis can help school districts enhance existing curricula, develop their own curricula, or select a published curriculum, for the delivery of quality physical education in schools.
School Health Index (SHI)
The SHI is a self-assessment and planning tool that schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs. It can be done on paper or online and can also be customized to assess only specific topics, including Physical Activity & Physical Education.
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Whom do I contact for more information?
Jan Mermin
Health Education Specialist
Rhode Island Department of Education
401-222-8954
Jan.Mermin@ride.ri.gov
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