A survey of Tennessee public elementary and middle school principals' attitudes toward the support of required physical education /

Abstract

Purpose of the study. The study's main purpose was to examine Tennessee public elementary and middle school principals' attitudes toward the requirement of physical education in the school curriculum. The study described possible factors of Tennessee's public elementary and middle school principals along, with the structure of the physical education program that might have an influence on the principals' attitudes. A total of 150 public elementary and 150 middle school principals were randomly selected and divided into two groups. Group one was comprised of 50 elementary school principals from each of the three regions, and group two was comprised of 50 middle school principals from each of the three regions for a total of 300 principals. The data was gathered using a background information questionnaire that investigated factors relating to each individual principal's professional background. The Wear Physical Education Attitude Inventory, Form A was used to assess the attitudes of the principals toward the requirement of physical education in the school curriculum.

Findings. Findings of the study showed there were no differences in attitudes between Tennessee public elementary and middle school principals. Elementary and middle school principals significantly favored physical education being required in the school curriculum. It was also found that no differences in attitudes existed between the two groups of principals based on regional location or school size. Principals from all three the school curriculum. Elementary and middle school principals from all three categories of school enrollment sizes significantly favored physical education being required in the school curriculum.

Recommendations for further studies. Recommendations for further studies include determining the importance principals place on physical education as compared to other required subjects in the school curriculum. Another recommendation includes determining why no time or credit requirement exists for Tennessee elementary and middle public schools, but credit requirements are mandatory for Tennessee high school students. Finally, creation and adoption of a state law mandating physical education and other regulations for all schools in the state of Tennessee, along with a statewide assessment of physical fitness and students' cognitive learning of physical education should be implemented for grades 2, 4, 6, and 8.