Physical education and sport in schools and colleges

1. Physical education and sport in schools and colleges

2. The organisation of sport in the USA The organisation in America is decentralised and it is organised by many governing bodies. Professional sport is prominent with much support from the public and companies. A great deal of sponsorship from companies and media – the private sector is very important.

4. The historical development of sport Following the pattern in Europe, American schools ignored the physical side of pupil welfare. The curriculum was strictly classical, and not until the 19th century did physical exercise, usually Gymnastics, come to be considered an important aspect of Education. Round Hill School, Massachusetts, was an early example of adopting a ‘European School’ approach to physical education, with particular respect for German gymnastics. Boys were taught to ride, skate and swim in addition to baseball and football.

5. Early German Gymnastics

6. In 1825 Monitoral School in Boston formally introduced German gymnastics, including marching, running, jumping and weight lifting. Catherine Beecher’s 30-minute daily workout of light exercise was known as Calisthenics. Later the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics developed the Swedish style of gymnastics as the way forward rather than the German method. ’The word "calisthenics" comes from the Greek words 'kallos' meaning beauty and 'thenos' meaning strength. The components of the sport aim to achieve those physical attributes, but the sport also influences the emotional and social development of girls through friendship and teamwork.’ (Girl.com.au, 2005)

7. By 1885 the providing school in the public schools was expanding, especially in the North and expanded throughout the whole country before the First World War. The trend at this time was a reduction in the use of gymnastics and an increased interest in games.

8. Girls started to play basketball and football. As in Europe, there was opposition from individuals who held conventional ideas.

9. By the end of the decade and the beginning of the 20th century, sport increased in popularity and high school athletes and college stars became prominent in the American education system.

10. Sport in high schools These trends still exist today, where sport is considered more important than physical education. More provision, money and staffing are offered. Many games are played in front of large audiences. This brings much money to the school.

12. Many American school principals see Physical Education as something that can be discarded and many local councils agree with this. There is wide variation in the total curriculum time physical education gets in the timetable in the high schools. Over the last 25 years not one state has changed the time given to physical education. Only the state of Illinois provides physical education for all ages - from Grade 1 (6 years old) to Grade 12 (18 years old) More commonly schools have 2/3 of a 30-minute lesson during their infant period and then complete 1 term in the high school. In some states physical education is measured in terms of minutes per week, so playtime is counted in some schools.

13. Because of this inconsistency organisations have expressed concern. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) notes that an individual who participates in physical education shows 4 characteristics: Exhibits practical skills Is fit Takes part often Has the knowledge to create an exercise programme for keeping fit throughout his/her life.

14. Another organisation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), claims that 50% of a physical education lesson should include medium to high intensity exercise. This has led to many lessons changing from developing skills to improving fitness. In some schools the lesson has changed fully to be long-term education on how to keep fitness and construct programmes.

15. In the past sport was part of the physical education department, but now it has its own department – The Department of Athletics. Coaches rather than teachers are employed. Their aim is to create a successful department, that is, a department that wins. In many situations the Director of Athletics has control over P.E. and sport. A head coach is employed in each sport, and they often get more money than teachers!!!!

16. A simplified structure of sport and physical education in American schools State sport body  College head  Director of athletics  Head of coaching Head of physical education  Coaching staff Physical education staff  Student body College teams ‘Varsity teams’ Physical Education Programme

17. The strain put on coaches

18. TaskCompare the role of a sports coach with the role of a physical education teacher in America

19. Sport in American high schools is driven by the culture it lives in – mainly one for Winners. Schools gain credit and prestige from the successess, and pupils build up scholarships – winning profile. In the collegiate system athletic departments develop future stars. In the high schools physical education is being renamed Kinesiology or Movement to try and strengthen the educational link rather than sport.