Quality physical education provides learning experiences that meet the developmental needs of youth by helping to improve mental alertness, academic performance, readiness to learn, and enthusiasm for learning. Evidence shows that physical activity can help improve academic achievement and positively impact cognitive skills, attitudes, academic performance, concentration, attention, and classroom behavior.

Quality physical education focuses on five areas – instructors, classes, classrooms/learning environments, instructional activities and assessment. Use the following table to determine if your school has a quality physical education program.

Instructors:
  • are certified physical education specialists.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • remain current with pedagogy and technology regarding teaching physical education.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • are first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certified.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
Classes
  • have a teacher-to-student ratio consistent with other academic areas and/or classrooms.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • conform to the following Alabama Department of Education mandates:
  • Every student in Grades K-8 must have a minimum of 30 minutes of physical education daily. Fifty minutes is recommended for middle school and may not include lunch or recess.
  • In those schools where Grades 7 and 8 are housed with elementary grades (K-6), the school may follow the time requirement listed for Grades K-6 (30 minutes daily) or the time suggested for Grades 7-8 (50 minutes daily).
  • For Grades 9-12, a one-credit course, the Lifelong Individualized Fitness Education (LIFE) is required for graduation.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
Classroom/Learning Environments
  • are safe, positive, developmental learning environments.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • have adequate equipment and facilities for each student to actively participate.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • have adequate technology available for teacher and student use in physical education classes.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
Instructional Activities:
  • are components of a planned, sequenced curriculum and have stated outcomes that are assessed on a regular basis.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • meet the recommendations for at least 50% moderate-to-vigorous activity during all K-12 physical education classes.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values required to participate safely in physical activity throughout their lifetime.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • are modified to ensure success for all students.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • are not used as punishment.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • are not withheld as punishment
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • provide for full inclusion of all students in developmentally appropriate activities.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • are not to be substituted by recess for daily physical education instruction.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
Assessment:
  • is frequent, based on designated learning outcomes that are aligned with national, state, and local standards that include a variety of assessments, methods, techniques, and forms.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • is designed to assist children in understanding and improving their knowledge, skills, and value related to activity and health-related fitness.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
  • is used to provide feedback for student learning.
/ Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___
Totals / Yes ___ No ___ Unsure ___

Results:

19 Yes  WAY TO GO!!! Your school has a quality physical education program!

15 -19 Yes  Congratulations! With a little work, your school will have a quality physical education program. Continue to the Action Plan for Quality Physical Education.

< 15 Yes Give yourself a pat on the back! Completing this survey is a first step toward working to improve your schools physical education program!Continue to the Action Plan for Quality Physical Education.

For each Quality Physical Education Checklist item that received a “No” response, complete the Action Plan for Quality Physical Education.

Criteria / Action / Short Term Objectives/Goals / Long Term Objectives/Goals / Criteria Met
List any items with a “No” response from the checklist. / How do you propose to change this to a “Yes” response? List action steps here. / List specific goals for the first year. / List specific goals for the next 2-3 years. / Place the date of completion here.