Physical Education K to 12

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Competencies and Skills and Blueprint

The test design below describes general testing information. The blueprints that follow provide a detailed outline that explains the competencies and skills that this test measures.

Test Design

table describing the format of the test, including test time, number of questions, and required passing score
Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions Approximately 80 multiple-choice questions
Time 2 hours and 30 minutes
Passing Score A scaled score of at least 200

 

Competencies, Skills, and Approximate Percentages of Questions

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.



table describing the competencies, skills, and approximate percentage of each competency's weight toward overall test score
Competency Approximate Percentage of Total Test Questions
1 Knowledge of the history and philosophy of the physical education profession 3%
2 Knowledge of standards-based physical education curriculum development 10%
3 Knowledge of developmentally appropriate physical education instructional strategies 13%
4 Knowledge of human growth and development and motor learning as they relate to physical education 8%
5 Knowledge of developmentally appropriate movement skills and concepts related to physical education 12%
6 Knowledge of lifetime health, wellness, and physical fitness 12%
7 Knowledge of cognitive, social, and emotional development through physical education and physical activity 7%
8 Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies that can be used to determine student levels and needs in physical education 10%
9 Knowledge of strategies that promote an effective learning environment 7%
10 Knowledge of laws, legislation, and liabilities that pertain to physical education 4%
11 Knowledge of appropriate safety considerations, rules, strategies, and terminology related to physical education and a variety of physical activities 5%
12 Knowledge of professional ethics, advocacy, and development 4%
13 Knowledge of the appropriate use of technology as related to physical education 5%

Competencies and Skills

Competency 1—Knowledge of the history and philosophy of the physical education profession

  1. Identify historical events and analyze trends that have influenced the physical education profession.

  2. Relate the goals and values of physical education to the philosophies of education that they reflect.

Competency 2—Knowledge of standards-based physical education curriculum development

  1. Identify and differentiate the characteristics of various curriculum models.

  2. Identify and analyze various factors to consider in curriculum planning, such as student ability, time (e.g., class duration, time of day, frequency), environment, equipment, facilities, space, and community resources.

  3. Identify ways that national and state documents, standards, benchmarks, and philosophies can be used to design and develop curricula.

  4. Identify and apply principles of long- and short-term planning (e.g., scope and sequence, annual plan, unit plan, lesson plan, emergency plans) to maximize learner participation and success.

  5. Identify cross-curricular content and concepts for the design and development of physical education learning experiences.

Competency 3—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate physical education instructional strategies

  1. Identify and apply strategies and adaptations that address the diverse needs of all students (e.g., cultural, linguistic, cognitive, motor, experiential).

  2. Identify and distinguish between teaching styles, communication delivery systems, and materials that facilitate student learning.

  3. Identify and apply motivational theories and techniques that enhance student learning.

  4. Analyze developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, techniques, and research-based teaching methods that promote student learning.

  5. Identify feedback as a strategy to facilitate student learning.

  6. Identify differentiated instructional practices that enhance student learning.

Competency 4—Knowledge of human growth and development and motor learning as they relate to physical education

  1. Select developmentally appropriate practices that demonstrate knowledge of human growth and development.

  2. Apply learning theories and knowledge of human development to construct a positive learning environment that supports psychomotor, cognitive, and affective development.

  3. Apply principles of motor development and motor learning to skill acquisition.

  4. Identify and apply the principles of sequential progression of motor skill development.

Competency 5—Knowledge of developmentally appropriate movement skills and concepts related to physical education

  1. Identify and apply movement concepts (e.g., spatial awareness, body awareness, relationships, effort) as they relate to physical education.

  2. Identify and apply the fundamental movement patterns, including locomotor, nonlocomotor, and manipulative skills.

  3. Identify and apply sequentially progressive activities that promote the acquisition of skills in the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective domains.

  4. Identify and apply appropriate cues and prompts for teaching movement skills.

  5. Apply mechanical principles of motion to various forms of movement.

  6. Analyze the mechanics of a skill or sequence of movements and identify ways in which students can improve their performance.

  7. Identify how components of skill-related fitness affect performance.

Competency 6—Knowledge of lifetime health, wellness, and physical fitness

  1. Analyze data from physical fitness assessments and select strategies for improving student levels of health-related physical fitness.

  2. Identify the health-related components in a personal fitness program.

  3. Demonstrate knowledge of nutrition and exercise and their roles in meeting the needs of all students.

  4. Identify health risks and benefits associated with physical activity.

  5. Apply training principles and guidelines to improve personal fitness.

  6. Identify exercises that benefit the major muscle groups of the human body.

  7. Determine how human body systems (e.g., muscular, cardiovascular, nervous, skeletal) adapt to physical activity.

  8. Identify the contributions of physical education to lifetime health, wellness, and physical fitness.

  9. Identify community opportunities for participation in a variety of physical activities.

Competency 7—Knowledge of cognitive, social, and emotional development through physical education and physical activity

  1. Identify the role physical education can play in developing an understanding of diversity.

  2. Identify the role physical education and physical activity can play in developing responsible behaviors and values.

  3. Identify the intellectual, sociological, and psychological benefits that occur through participation in physical activities.

  4. Identify major factors associated with the development of social and emotional health through physical activity (e.g., communication skills, self-concept, fair play, conflict resolution, character development, stress management).

Competency 8—Knowledge of various types of assessment strategies that can be used to determine student levels and needs in physical education

  1. Identify and apply assessment strategies, including authentic and traditional methods, for appropriate use within the cognitive domain.

  2. Identify and apply assessment strategies, including authentic and traditional methods, for appropriate use within the affective domain.

  3. Identify and apply assessment strategies, including authentic and traditional methods, for appropriate use within the psychomotor domain.

  4. Analyze appropriate assessment strategies for curriculum design, lesson planning, and program evaluation.

  5. Identify appropriate assessment strategies for an inclusive environment.

  6. Determine appropriate physical fitness assessment strategies for use within physical education.

Competency 9—Knowledge of strategies that promote an effective learning environment

  1. Identify procedures for selecting and maintaining appropriate equipment and facilities to enhance student learning.

  2. Identify organizational strategies that create and sustain an effective learning environment (e.g., rituals and routines, maximum participation, rules and standards).

  3. Identify supervisory and behavioral management techniques that enhance student learning.

  4. Determine appropriate action for the care and prevention of injuries in physical education.

Competency 10—Knowledge of laws, legislation, and liabilities that pertain to physical education

  1. Identify major federal and state legislation that impacts physical education.

  2. Identify legal liabilities applicable to physical education.

Competency 11—Knowledge of appropriate safety considerations, rules, strategies, and terminology related to physical education and a variety of physical activities

  1. Apply appropriate rules and strategies of play to game and sport situations.

  2. Identify terminology for physical education and physical activities.

  3. Identify safety considerations for a variety of physical activity settings.

Competency 12—Knowledge of professional ethics, advocacy, and development

  1. Identify physical education professional development experiences that will enhance teacher effectiveness, promote collaboration, and improve student performance.

  2. Identify professional organizations, professional literature, research, and other resources (e.g., code of ethics) that enhance a physical educator's continuous improvement.

  3. Identify ways to advocate for physical education.

Competency 13—Knowledge of the appropriate use of technology as related to physical education

  1. Determine the appropriate uses of technology in the physical education instructional process.

  2. Determine the appropriate uses of technology in assessing student performance in physical education.

  3. Identify ways that using technology in physical education supports cross-curricular learning.

  4. Identify ways that all students can use technology in physical education.