National Standards for
Physical Education
Physical activity is critical to
the development and maintenance of good health. The goal of
physical education is to develop physically educated individuals
who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime
of healthful physical activity.
A physically
educated person:
Standard 1:
Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns
needed to perform a variety of physical
activities.
Standard
2:
Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles,
strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and
performance of physical activities.
Standard
3:
Participates regularly in physical activity.
Standard
4:
Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical
fitness.
Standard 5:
Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects
self and others in physical activity settings.
Standard
6:
Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge,
self-expressions and/or social interaction.
Source: National Association for Sport and
Physical Education. (2004). Moving into the future: National
standards for physical education (2nd ed.). Reston, VA:
Author.
Appropriate Physical Education
Instruction:
- Full inclusion of all
students
- Maximum practice opportunities
for class activities
- Well-designed lessons that
facilitate student learning
- Out of school assignments that
support learning and practice
- No physical activity for
punishment
- Uses regular assessment to
monitor and reinforce student learning
Opportunity to Learn:
- Instructional periods totaling
150 minutes per week (elementary) and 225 minutes per week (middle
and secondary school)
- Qualified physical education
specialist providing a developmentally appropriate
program
- Adequate equipment and
facilities
Meaningful Content:
- Instruction in a variety of motor
skills that are designed to enhance the physical, mental, and
social/emotional development of every child
- Fitness education and assessment
to help children understand, improve and/or maintain their physical
well-being
- Development of cognitive concepts
about motor skill and fitness
- Opportunities to improve their
emerging social and cooperative skills and gain a multi-cultural
perspective
- Promotion of regular amounts of
appropriate physical activity now and throughout life
