1. SUMMARY OF Teaching PE in US

2. Teaching Physical Education in Schools
In the United States, many of the rules and regulations for teaching physical education are different amongst the 50 states. Yet, many things are similar and the following slides will help with your understanding of teaching PE in the US.

3. School in the United States
Students attend school for 13 years
Elementary School : Grades K – 5
Middle School: Grades 6 – 8
High School: Grades 9 – 12
Usually start school around 5 years of age in Kindergarten (K) and graduate from high school (12th grade) around age 17 or 18.

4. Types of Schooling Public School Private School Home School
Free to all students
Attend school based on the area where you live
School buses usually will take students to and from school
Private School
Cost money for students to attend
Parents usually have to drive students to school
Home School
Students will stay home from school and parents usually with teach them
There is a process and forms that need to be completed for this to happen

5. Laws with Going to School
By age 6, parents or legal guardians are required to enroll their child into school
Students are required to remain in school until age 16, where they may choose to “drop out” of school.
This is not a good choice and numerous schools have programs to help ensure that this does not occur

6. School Year in the USA
Students are required to attend school for 185 days or 1,025 hours of instruction
Usually begin the year around August 25 and end around June 10, with a 10 week break through the summer
Teacher Workdays – students do not have school but teachers must attend work and may have meetings or parent conferences

7. Holidays Teachers and students have off the following holidays:
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Memorial Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Long Break at Christmas
Long Break at Easter

8. Example School Calendar

9. Teacher Evaluations Administrators observe teacher 4 times per year
NC teachers evaluated by system called McRel
Administrator feedback shared through discussion

10. Subjects in US Core Elective Math Science History Reading Writing Art
P.E.
Dance
Music
Band

11. Hours of PE in US Schools
Elementary: Usually one day of PE a week with a certified PE teacher for about minutes
Middle School: Usually daily Health and PE or every other day for about 45 minutes
High School: One year of PE in high school for a semester for about 45 minutes daily
Must have to graduate and receive high school diploma

12. Recommendations for PE
Elementary School : It is recommended to have 150 minutes of PE weekly
Middle School: It is recommended to have 220 minutes of PE weekly
However, since only recommendations, schools can be flexible with their scheduling and have PE where they see fit. No law for how much PE students should receive.

13. Teacher Duties Vary from school to school but may include:
Instructional Duties:
Teaching PE and Health Curriculum to Students
Parent/Teacher meetings
Non-Instructional Duties:
Bus Duty
Hallway Duty
Supervising students before school begins and after-school is over
Extra-curricular clubs
Coaching

14. Preparing and Teaching PE classes
Common Core Standards
These standards have recently been adopted throughout the US and are being implemented into schools
Physical Education and Health are grouped together in one subject area called Healthful Living
Teachers use these standards as a guide to their curriculum

15. Physical Education Standards
Four categories for teaching PE are:
Motor Skills
Movement Concepts
Health-Related Fitness
Personal/Social Responsibility
(Public Schools of North Carolina, n.d.)

16. Health Standards Health is divided into 5 categories:
Mental and Emotional Health
Personal and Consumer Health
Interpersonal Communications and Relationships
Nutrition and Physical Activity
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
(Public Schools of North Carolina, n.d.)

17. Preparation and Teaching PE Classes
Specific units taught at the discretion of the teacher but influenced by
Equipment
Availability of Space
Teacher Preference
Student Preference
Time Constraints
Time of year & Sports currently
in season

18. Students’ Involvement in Physical Activities In School
Elementary Students: have PE once a week, with supervised recess (or playtime) being provided daily to them
Middle School Students: have PE daily or every other day for about 45 minutes.
High School Students: have PE daily for usually one semester for about 90 minutes.
Advanced PE and weightlifting are also offered

19. Students involvement in Physical Activities After School
Many schools provide after-school clubs for students to participate in
This year I began a Running Club at my school and it was open to all students and held on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Parents are responsible for picking up students when club is over

20. Student Involvement in Sports After School During Middle School
Depending on the state, many middle schools provide opportunities for students to become involved on sports teams
Sports offered at the middle school level may include:
Basketball
Football
Cheerleading
Baseball/Softball
Soccer
Track and Field
Wrestling
Volleyball
Golf

21. Student Involvement in Sports After School During High School
Once in high school, students can continue their involvement in sports
High School usually offers a wider variety of sports which include those from middle school along with:
Swimming
Lacrosse
Field Hockey
Hockey
Cross Country
Tennis

22. Successes Experienced In Teaching
One success that I am proud of is the Running Club that I started this past year.
Students have thanked me many times for offering this club and have really enjoyed it.
At our school, we also organize a Hoops for Heart program that benefits the American Heart Association.
My fellow PE teacher and I put it all together and last year we raised over $3,500 for the American Heart Association

23. Barriers Experienced in Teaching
The school system not taking PE seriously
Not having enough money for equipment and resources needed to teach my students
Communication among students that speak little or no English

24. Improvements for Teaching
More local school money being put toward the PE and Health departments
Professional Development classes that are directed towards my area of teaching

25. PE Programs in US Schools
PE programs are headed in the right direction in the US but still have a long ways to go to be recognized at a higher level
Common core standards will help teachers be held more accountable and help uphold more credibility for PE

26. References
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance – AAHPERD.(2008). Retrieved March 2013, from
Public Schools of North Carolina, Department of Public Instruction (n.d.).NC Essential Standards Alignment. Retrieved from
Sample PETE Research Paper (2013)
Sample Teaching Physical Education in School Paper (2013)