Rural adapted physical education teacher preparation programs: A pilot study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the teacher preparation programs in adapted physical education among colleges and universities in the United States. Twenty-two adapted physical educators from colleges and universities representing 13 states were interviewed during the 1987 AAHPERD convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The interview questions focused on the existence of an adapted physical education program and the inclusion of training in rural adapted physical education programming. Significant among the findings were that (a) 67% of the respondents were provided with a segment of rural-oriented information during a 3-unit undergraduate course, (b) the amount of time allocated to rural adapted physical education ranged from less than one week to four weeks, (c) from the total of 22 institutions, 10 respondents indicated the existence of a major in adapted physical education, and (d) four (40%) of ten institutions with an adapted physical education major required practical training in rural districts. Although variations exist in the content, requirements, and enrollment in adapted physical education, the conclusion from this investigation is that training in rural adapted physical education is minimal.

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