Adapted Physical Education Endorsement

Program Description

In the Adapted Physical Education (APE) endorsement program, students will explore the many facets of adapted physical education and sport for individuals with disabilities. As physical education is federally mandated for all students with disabilities within the public school systems, it is important that these students experience physical education specially designed with their needs in mind.  The APE endorsement program at Wright State will prepare current teachers to better meet the needs for all individuals with disabilities in their classes.

Benefits of Studying Adapted Physical Education at Wright State

APE endorsement classes at Wright State are small, typically 25 students or less, and are online during the school year, making this the ideal program for current teachers. Once students complete all endorsement classes, they will be eligible to take the APENS exam, a national certification for adapted physical education teachers.

Certification

All students are required to sit for the APENS exam (at the student’s expense) at the completion of the endorsement courses. Successful completion of all courses and program requirements will lead to an Ohio APE endorsement, while passing the APENS exam in addition to the program requirements at Wright State will lead to the Certified Adapted Physical Educator designation

Admission Requirements

• Current teaching license in multi-age physical education

AND

• 2.5 cumulative minimum GPA

Program Learning Outcomes

In the APE Endorsement program:

• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of appropriate terminology relevant to APE/GPE, recreational, and sport contexts (APE Standard 1.1).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of characteristics of disabilities (APE Standard 1.3 &1.4).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of safety concerns with individuals with disabilities in physical activity settings (APE Standard 1.3, 4.5).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the legal obligations, Least Restrictive Environment, and inclusion (APE Standard 1.1, 1.2, & 1.4).
• The students will understand and analyze the impact that disabilities have on physical growth, cognitive, social, and emotional development (APE Standard 1.5)
• The students will be able to identify and discuss strategies to promote successful inclusion of students with disabilities: teaching strategies and strategies to promote positive social inclusion of students (APE Standard 4.3) 
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of appropriate terminology relevant to disability sport and recreational contexts.
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the various sporting opportunities for individuals with different disabilities (APE Standard 1.4).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the rules of different adapted sports.
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of safety concerns with individuals with disabilities in physical activity settings (APE Standard 4.5).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the historical and legal perspectives of sport for individuals with disabilities (APE Standard 1.1, 1.2).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of sport modifications and the various classification systems for athletes with different disabilities (APE Standard 1.3).
• The students will be able to analyze the impact that disabilities have on physical growth, cognitive, social, and emotional development and how sport and physical activity can affect these aspects of development (APE Standard 1.4).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the requirements to take the APENS national exam.
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the 15 APENS standards and how they relate to working with individuals with disabilities (APE Standards 1.1-1.4).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of safety concerns with individuals with disabilities in physical activity settings (APE Standard 1.3).
• The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of adapted physical education content and discipline-specific content related to the development of individuals with disabilities (APE Standard 1). 
• The students will be able to reflect on and discuss their teaching experiences throughout the field experience.
• The students will be able to demonstrate effective planning and teaching skills to have a positive impact on student learning.
• The students will be able to implement a variety of effective assessments, manage assessment data effectively, and reflect on the factors influencing student performance (APE Standard 2.1, 2.3, & 2.4).
• The students will be able to utilize management strategies which establish and maintain positive learning environment for individuals with disabilities (APE Standard 4.1).
• The students will apply appropriate developmental and functional practices to motivate individuals with disabilities to participate in physical activity (APE Standard 4.2).
• Students will be able to identify and implement strategies to promote positive personal and social relationships for students in the least restrictive environment (APE Standard 4.3).
• Students will be able to design a safe learning environment which includes safety for all individuals, including those with disabilities (APE Standard 4.5).
• The students will be able to recognize and develop the necessary components of an individualized education program (IEP) based on the needs of the student (APE Standard 1.4).
• The students will be able to recognize the appropriate type of diagnostic tool/test necessary for appropriate evaluation of special populations within the psychomotor domain (APE Standard 2.1 & 2.3)
• The students will be able to evaluate and assess motor needs and write task analyses and behavioral objectives (APE Standard 3.2)
• Identify, discuss, and administer at least one test specifically designed for screening, one test for placement, and one test for student progress in the psychomotor domain (APE Standard 3.2).
• The students will be able to interpret and use data and value added results to make informed curricular and/or instructional decisions (APE Standard 2.4).
• Students will be able to develop and implement an effective behavior management plan which includes safety for all individuals with disabilities in the physical education setting (APE Standard 4.4)
• Students will be able to utilize eligibility criteria for placing students into the least restrictive environment in physical education (APE Standard 2.2). 

For More Information

• Adapted Physical Education
• School of Nursing, Kinesiology and Health Sciences
• College of Health, Education, and Human Services