A descriptive, multi-case study of physical education and physical activity within president's challenge demonstration centers

Rhonda M Haag, Purdue University

Abstract

Professionals have called upon schools in the United States to be instrumental in addressing the health and wellness of our nation's youth in an era of growing childhood obesity. Organizations such as the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), First Lady, Michelle Obama and the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) are just a few of the many people and groups that have opted to focus upon physical activity (PA) and physical education (PE) promotion as part of the total school equation for help in this effort. Their campaigns, such as Let's Move (Obama, 2010), Let's Move in School (NASPE, 2010), and the President's Challenge Program (PCFSN, n.d), have inspired millions of youth to become more physically active, both inside the school environment and in their personal lives. This study investigated four schools, two elementary and two junior high that had worked toward this promotion of high quality school-based physical activity and physical education programs and were recently awarded the President's Challenge Demonstration Center title from the PCFSN. The findings revealed several aspects for the development and sustainment of quality physical education and physical activity programs, and a model was developed that identified three levels of capacity-building. Level one, referred to as the structural/organizational level, acted as a foundation for building quality comprehensive school PE/PA programs, level two, referred to as the capacity-building level, provided the processes for dynamic, functional PE/PA program development, and level three, referred to as the sustainability level, identified the characteristics needed for maintaining quality PE/PA programs.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Templin, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Physical education|Kinesiology|Health education

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