Preservice Physical Education Teacher Attributes Associated with Positive Attitudes toward Students with Mild Disabilities.

Overview & Synopsis

As stipulated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990, instruction in physical education is a direct service that must be provided to children and youth with disabilities who are between the ages of 3 and 21 years. This study was conducted to assess the relationship between preservice physical education teacher attributes (age, adapted physical education (APE) courses, year in school, special education courses, experience, practicum, educational preparation, and certification level) and attitudes toward teaching students classified as behaviorally disordered, mildly mentally retarded, and learning disabled. Subjects, preservice undergraduate physical education teaching majors (N=399) who were enrolled in an introductory APE course, completed the Physical Educators' Attitude Toward Teaching the Handicapped II (PEATH II). Results are presented under three general headings: (1) subject characteristics; (3) professional preparation regarding individuals with disabilities, and (3) rating of quality of professional preparation. Based on the sample, it was concluded that preservice physical education teachers with favorable attitudes believed themselves to be very competent and rated their educational preparation as high in relation to teaching students with disabilities. A sample of the PEATH II is appended. (Contains 29 references.) (LL)