Assessing Adaptive Physical Education in America with Dr. Scott McNamara

According to the CDC most school districts require schools to meet the physical education needs of students with disabilities by8:

· Including accommodations in physical education in 504 plans or IEPs (98%).

· Mainstreaming into regular physical education as appropriate (97%).

· Providing adapted physical education as appropriate (91%).

Among schools that have students with disabilities, 91% include physical education in IEPs or 504 plans for these students.9

Among schools that have students with disabilities, 62% require students with long-term physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities to participate in physical education.9

However, 52% of schools exempted students with cognitive disability, and 86% exempted students with long-term physical and medical disability from physical education. Both percentages increased between 2000 and 2014.9

With all of this in mind how are we doing in ensuring students with disabilities remain physically active while at school?

Dr. Scott McNamara is an Assistant Professor Kinesiology Department at the University of Northern Iowa. He teaches physical education and adapts physical education (APE) courses. He has also developed a podcast entitled “What’s New in APE” Podcast which provides insight into the profession through interviews with panels of APE professionals. He joined me this week to discuss the current state of adaptive and physical education in America.

Email: [email protected]

For more information: http://mrmcnamaras.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @ScottMcNamara12