What Constitutes a Highly Qualified Physical Education Teacher?

Overview & Synopsis

It is the position of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) that is it critical to have highly qualified physical education teachers delivering a standards-based curriculum that will assist children in adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyles. NASPE acknowledges that highly qualified physical education teachers will be certified to teach by virtue of having completed an accredited physical education teacher education program. Highly Qualified Physical Education Teachers exhibit the following attributes: (1) Possess the skills, knowledge, and values outlined in NASPE "National Standards for Beginning Physical Education Teachers" (NAPSE, 2003); (2) Base their teaching on the national standards for K-12 Physical Education (NASPE, 2004); (3) Establish high expectations for learning with the psychomotor, cognitive and affective domains and support student learning; (4) View assessment as an integral component of the teaching-learning process; (5) Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior; and (6) Engage in reflective practices while systematically reviewing their curriculum, teaching practices and assessment tools.