Date of Award:

5-1949

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Kinesiology and Health Science

Department name when degree awarded

Physical Education

Committee Chair(s)

H. B. Hunsaker

Committee

H. B. Hunsaker

Abstract

The almost universal acceptance of physical education as an integral part of education has resulted in state legislation throughout the United States requiring the teaching of physical education in the public schools. Because of this legislation, it has become necessary to better prepare teachers to carry on a worthwhile physical education program. Efficient teaching cannot be expected to result from lack of training and inadequate preparation; therefore, the college graduate who holds a degree with no specialized training is not adequately prepared to teach effectively and efficiently in our school systems of today.

In regard to the qualifications and functions of physical education teachers, Ruth Elliott says:

The most outstanding need in the field of physical education is for studies in the qualifications and functions of the physical education teacher as in any other phase of education. No scientific study of the curriculum is possible without a determination of the function of the teacher. Curricular studies in physical education are urgently needed in order to set standards for the kind and amount of training necessary for adequately trained leaders and experts in physical education in all of its many phases. (6, p. 6)

Jay B. Nash states:

It has been a comparatively short time since state legislation gave to physical education an impetus by enactment of laws requiring its teaching in all public schools.

To meet this requirement, institutions started curricula designed to train teachers of physical education, and by 1931 this new teachers training movement had become so widespread as to include 210 institutions offering a four year major with a bachelor's degree, not to mention those with two and three-year majors. (15, p. 225)

Practically all of the states have set up some legislative requirements by which a teacher may be certified. After fulfilling these requirements, an individual is eligible to teach in the schools of the state. The assumption is that the training received is sufficiently general for an individual to be able to teach any subject. In many states the granting of a liberal arts degree fulfills this requirement. This type of certification is not adequate and leaves much to be desired. Under this type of certification an individual studying English, history, art, mathematics or languages can be certified; and because of his athletic ability, he is selected to teach physical education and coach in the secondary schools. This type of unpreparedness can become very serious in the terms of the physical welfare of boys and girls.

The unprepared teacher who attempts to teach children in the vigorous physical education activities lacks the academic knowledge of first aid, the effects of activities on the human organism, the dangers of allowing children with certain physical defects to participate in vigorous activities, the symptoms of fatigue and the conduction of modern programs of physical education and is, therefore, assuming a serious responsibility. Some progress has been made in securing prepared teachers, but this progress has been slow in comparison to the needs.

Yocom and Hunsaker state:

Past and present teaching and training methods will have to be analyzed in light of present and future needs of a constantly changing world in order to fulfill the philosophies, aims and objectives of physical education.

Successful instruction in physical education would realize the objectives of education and of physical education as they concern the development of good social habits and attitudes, love of wholesome play, neuro-muscular co-ordination, wholesome use of leisure time and organic vigor. (29, p. 2)

Future anticipated changes, such as more densely populated areas, higher standards of living, increased leisure, new scientific discoveries, and the growing need for recreational guidance will constantly change the interpretation of educational theory, and thus influence physical education.

In regard to teacher preparation, Davis and Lawther say:

Students preparing to teach physical education in some states are greatly surprised to learn that in other states no certification in physical education is required.... Many other states require four years of professional training with the accompanying baccalaureate degree. The trend in state certification seems to be toward the requirements of a fifth year. The fact is, therefore, that there are teachers who are unprepared to teach physical education but have positions with this responsibility. (5)

Voltmer and Esslinger say:

The minimum requirements for either elementary or high school physical education teachers should be a bachelor's degree with a major or minor in physical education. The major qualifies one much better to teach physical education, but many instructors must teach other subjects in these two types of schools, especially in the smaller cities and rural communities. Therefore, they must major in other fields in order to get a teaching position..... The major student, is admittedly better qualified to teach than is the minor student. For that reason a minor is suggested as worthwhile in the teacher training setup. (23, p. 132)

Jay B. Nash states:

The only solution of this problem is the requirement of majors and minors in this general training to have some type of specialization required. (15, p. 329).

The growth and development of physical education in Utah progressed very slowly until 1930, when a new public school constitution was formed and renewed interest in physical education took place. However, the schools of the state made very little effort to cooperate until 1935 when the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation was formed under the directorship of Miss Bernice Moss, as a part of the Department of Public Instruction.

The State Course of Study Committee in 1937 placed health and physical education as a required daily program in the junior high school division and in two of the three years in the senior high school division. The majority of the schools have organized their programs on this basis.

The physical education program in Utah during the last decade has been undergoing interesting changes and developments, most of which are aimed at a more adequate recognition of and attention to the physical, social, character and recreational needs of all boys and girls.

To be certified to teach physical education in Utah, one must be a college graduate and certified or authorized by the State Department of Education, as having passed the requirements of the state office. The recommendations are that the prospective teacher has either a major or a minor in the field in which he is to teach. Some schools, however, will hire a man who is certified in other fields to teach physical education because of his prowess and efficiency on college athletic teams.

Fortunately, most school administrators are now recognizing the need for physical education teachers to be more adequately prepared in the field of physical education in order to meet the essential needs of the student.

Checksum

559206ac81a4cd82b05a68dfaa8f4111

Download

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .