Physical education curriculum: a study of the current delivery system of physical education in Newfoundland and Labrador schools

Melendy, Roger (1985) Physical education curriculum: a study of the current delivery system of physical education in Newfoundland and Labrador schools. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine if specific school setting factors were affecting the delivery of the Physical Education curriculum in Newfoundland and Labrador schools. This was determined by establishing relationships between the school setting factors and conformity to the Physical Education curriculum. - A stratified random selection of 150 schools from 33 school boards constituted the sample group. From these schools it was established that there were 419 teachers responsible for teaching Physical Education to some portion of the schools’ pupil enrollment. Each of these teachers received a questionnaire, via the school's principal, related to the school setting factors and the Physical Education curriculum. -- The data analysis, based on the responses of 300 teachers from 120 schools, was conducted at two levels, i) whole curriculum level, i.e. the conformity level of the teacher taking into account the combination of all the school levels in which he is teaching Physical Education and ii) individual school levels, i.e. the conformity level of the teacher at each school level in which he is teaching Physical Education. Using cross tabulations and chi square the following school setting factors were isolated as affecting the delivery of the Physical Education curriculum (conformity): i) whole curriculum level, (school characteristics) enrollment, school catchment area population, amount of equipment available, and quality of the equipment; (teacher characteristics) sex, degree held, university training in Physical Education, Physical Education inservice/workshop participation, and use of suggested guide books; ii) school levels, primary -,(school characteristics) availibility of a classroom/playroom facility; (teacher characteristics) degree held, university training in Physical Education, and use of suggested guide books; elementary - (school characteristics) availability of a gymnasium, availability of a playground, and amount of equipment available (teacher characteristics) university training in Physical Education, access to the guide publication, and use of suggested guide books; junior high - (teacher characteristic) access to the guide publication; senior high - low response rate restricted conclusive relationships. There were indications of other factors affecting the delivery of the Physical Education curriculum at both the whole curriculum level and the school levels. -- The conclusions drawn from the study were; 1. Physical Education is receiving very little emphasis within the educational system of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2. small schools are neglecting Physical Education due to limited settings, 3. senior high Physical Education curriculum is suffering due to problems of implementation and financing, 4. many teachers feel incompetent with teaching Physical Education, 5. there is a need for Physical Education specialists to be available to all schools, and 6. the availability and quality of equipment and facilities varies from school to school.

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