Student-Centered Physical Education on a Shoestring Budget

Overview & Synopsis

Nationwide, only 56% of students attended physical education class on one or more days per week, and only 33% of students attended physical education daily in 2009. Physical educators have the responsibility to create positive experiences in physical education, as well as to develop physical skills and feelings of self-efficacy in their students. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education guidelines for youths recommend that children get 60 minutes of daily physical activity and avoid long periods of inactivity. In order to achieve this, physical education programs need to do more to promote lifetime fitness activities and more physical activity outside of the school day. This article outlines how to transform a traditional physical education class into one that provides relevant opportunities for students to be active for a lifetime based on their needs and interests. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)