The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals. Vermont law (16 V.S.A. § 136) defines the Physical Education program as “a sequential, developmentally appropriate program that is an enjoyable experience for students and is designed to help students develop the knowledge, skill, self-management skill, attitudes and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physical fitness throughout their lives”. The Vermont State Board of Education adopted the SHAPE America standards to guide physical education curriculum development in 2015. Students need to develop the knowledge and skills to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Physical education should provide students with regular exercise through a variety of physical activities. High school graduates should be able to evaluate their own physical fitness, set goals, and use their knowledge and skills to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. The Agency may provide professional learning, technical assistance, and resources to schools.
Spotlight on Equity Resources
Educational equity means that every student has access to the resources, opportunities, and educational rigor they need at the right moment in their education, whatever their race, gender/identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, language, ability, family background, or family income may be. (Adapted from CCSSO, Leading for Equity.) The Spotlight on Equity Resource below provides a list of considerations and resources for the purpose of supporting equity and access while emphasizing high-quality and culturally sustaining learning opportunities for all students.
Section List
A Vermont Portrait of a Graduate through Health and Physical Education
Linking Health and Learning Newsletter
Comprehensive Health Resources
A Vermont Portrait of a Graduate Through Health and Physical Education
A Vermont Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) was collaboratively developed to be used as a tool for reviewing and refining local proficiency-based graduation requirements, as well as a guide for making instructional decisions. The PoG specifies the cognitive, personal, and interpersonal skills and abilities that students should be able to demonstrate upon graduation considering six attributes: learner agency, global citizenship, academic proficiency, communication, critical thinking and problem solving, and well-being. Each attribute includes key descriptors and performance indicators. Health and physical education programs should provide students with valuable learning experiences that support the development of PoG attributes. The following diagram highlights specific health and physical education program skills and abilities that are associated with PoG attributes. Information about how the six attributes of a Vermont PoG can be addressed through health and physical education can be found below.
Information about how the six attributes of a Vermont PoG can be addressed through Health and Physical Education can be found below.
Linking Health & Learning – A newsletter for Vermont’s Health and Physical Educators
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- April 2023
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- Spring 2024
Physical Education Resources
- Local Wellness Policy Guide: Supports for Physical Education lists recommended evidence-based or research-based strategies and resources to support development and/or implementation of the Physical Education section of a local wellness policy.
- SHAPE America Physical Education Resources
- Kaiser Permanente Playbook: Playbook is a useful tool for school leaders and health and physical education teachers. The playbook is focused on the health and well-being of teachers, students and staff.
- OPEN PE: Provides outcomes-based curriculum tools for physical education teachers.
- Dynamic PE: Dynamic PE guides teachers through the process of creating customized lesson plans with hundreds of instructional activities and teaching hints. Each activity has clear objectives, includes a specified equipment list, and adheres to National Standards.
- PE Central: PE Central provides lesson plans, assessment ideas, skill and fitness challenges, and a video library that can be used to support remote physical education.
- Adapted Physical Education National Standards (ASPENS): A set of 15 national standards representing the content a qualified Adapted Physical Educator must know to provide physical education to students with disabilities.
- Presidential Youth Fitness Program (PYFP): FitnessGram and instructional resources, PYFP at Home, professional development opportunities, and access to grant opportunities.
Comprehensive Health Resources
- Healthy and Safe Schools focuses on creating healthy, safe, and supportive school learning environments using the Vermont Local Wellness Policy Guide, the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model (WSCC), School Health Profiles, and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
- Local Wellness Policy Guide: Supports for Comprehensive Health Education lists recommended evidence-based or research-based strategies and resources to support development and/or implementation of the Comprehensive Health Education section of a local wellness policy.
- Health Education focuses on the implementation of Comprehensive Health Education programs defined by Vermont law (16 V.S.A. § 131), the Education Quality Standards, and State Board adopted National Health Education Standards.
- Nutrition contains information about how federal Nutrition Programs are administered in Vermont in schools, childcare settings, summer program sites and adult day centers. The Vermont Agency of Education provides program sponsors with guidance, technical assistance, training, monitoring and evaluation to ensure that every program receives the maximum federal and state funding available and operates in compliance with federal and state requirements.
- Physical Activity includes the Physical Activity Guidelines for Vermont Schools - Active Students are Better Learners that helps school personnel interpret and implement physical activity requirements identified in the Education Quality Standards as well as resources to support physical activity program development.
Additional Information
- Adapted Physical Education Frequently Asked Questions
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Act 66: 2021 Revisions to 16 V.S.A. § 136 (Wellness Program; see p. 9)
Questions?
Email Ian Burfoot-Rochford.