School Principals’ Perceptions of and Expectations for Physical Education

Authors

  • Meredith L. George Helena Middle School
  • Matthew D. Curtner-Smith University of Alabama

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TPE-2017-V74-I3-7354

Keywords:

Principals, occcupational socialization, expectations for physical education

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to (a) examine 19 school principals’ perceptions of and expectations for physical education (PE) and (b) describe the factors influencing school principals’ perceptions of and expectations for PE. We collected data using an electronic survey that included questions on (a) the goals of PE, (b) pedagogies and curricula, (c) evaluation practices, (d) expectations for learning, (e) value of PE and extracurricular sport, and (f) factors within principals’ pre-training biographies and training that shaped their beliefs and values about PE. We analyzed data using constant comparison and analytic induction. Principals had a limited understanding of the goals of PE, its curricula, and its pedagogies because their beliefs about the subject were largely shaped by their own experiences of PE and sport when they were children and youth rather than any formal training that they had received.

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Author Biographies

Meredith L. George, Helena Middle School

Meredith L. George is the head of the physical education department at Helena Middle school in Helena, Alabama.

Matthew D. Curtner-Smith, University of Alabama

Matthew Curtner-Smith is professor and Department Head of Kinesiology at the University of Alabama. He conducts research on physical education teaching, teachers, teacher educaion, and curriculum.

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Published

2017-09-20

Issue

Section

Articles