Implementation of a quality physical education program: are schools meeting the recommendations

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has developed specific guidelines for quality physical education including recommendations for the amount of instruction time, teacher qualifications and instructional facilities. This study described the ability of public high schools in Southwest Pennsylvania to meet these guidelines. Of the 91 public high schools recruited to participate, 39 schools completed an electronic survey that assessed instruction time, teacher qualifications, and facilities. The results of this study suggest that high schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania do not meet the specific NASPE guidelines for instruction time; however, the schools do have qualified teachers and access to adequate facilities and meet these guidelines. To improve the quality of physical education in these schools, it may be necessary to identify potential barriers to offering quality physical education, and to increase physical activity time within the current physical education classes and allocated time.