WANTED: YOUR FEEDBACK ON PE2020 NATIONAL INITIATIVES DRAFT

"The future will be a consequence of what we do NOW, in response to our understanding of the problems we face. The future of the future is the present." (Neil Postman, 1983)

In today's bleak economic times, it's tough to focus on thinking about the future. Job cuts, program eliminations, and salary reductions are forcing many of us to worry about our immediate future rather than what's going to happen in the years ahead. But thinking ahead is precisely what we must do to avoid ongoing cuts or even worse - total extinction.

A thought shared at the national PE2020 Forum in San Diego was that we as physical education teaching professionals have a choice: We can hope that imminent school changes won't negatively affect us. Or we can examine what we are currently doing and look for ways to align physical education more closely with the changing school environment. Relevant to this choice, the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius offered the following sage advice:

"Only the supremely wise or the abysmally ignorant do not alter."

With this thought in mind, participants at the PE2020 Forum devoted an entire day to thinking about today's physical education, and offering suggestions for ways we could make it better in the future. As mentioned last month, all of the information presented at the Forum (documents, PowerPoints, and links to movies), is available online. You are encouraged to download it, modify it as you wish, put your own name on it, present it to others, and generate discussion. The discussion and ideas we generated in San Diego is now also posted for your review online.

As a result of participant feedback, the PE2020 Planning Committee has now created a document with some DRAFT national initiatives. Now, YOUR feedback is wanted. But you only have ONE MONTH.

If you go to the NASPE Forum and click on the link (at the bottom of the page) to "PE2020" you will see links to all of the information mentioned above. But what we especially want is for you to take a look at the folder entitled, "Proposed PE2020 Initiatives," read the suggestions, and post your thoughts.

Build a Shared Vision for Physical Education in the Year 2020 and Beyond

Based on the input of the 250 or so people who attended the San Diego Forum, five initiative areas have been drafted. These include: technology, community connections, physical education teacher education, curriculum, and high school physical education. Several suggestions are included within each of these areas. The suggestions were either directly taken from written Forum feedback or based on ideas shared in discussion.

The NASPE Board has asked the PE2020 Planning Committee to submit a report including recommended initiatives for review at it's August meeting: Hence the June 30th deadline for YOUR FEEDBACK.

As a member of the PE2020 Planning Committee, I want you to know that the committee is trying to stick firmly to the principle that any document we create truly represents the thoughts of those who have taken the time to follow and contribute to the PE2020 initiative: NASPE members and non-members, and those inside and outside the physical education profession. In short, for the next month this is YOUR document to support or change. At the end of June, the PE2020 Planning Committee will review all of the comments and make revisions before turning it over to the NASPE Board.

PLEASE take this unique opportunity to share in creating new future directions for public school physical education. Share this request with colleagues who might not read this invitation: In your schools, in your states, with your students. Whatever is proposed will become an historical document. In 2020, physical educators will look back on what we proposed and what happened to our proposals. Let's hope that history will judge us kindly.

I look forward to reading your feedback on these draft national PE2020 initiatives. Go now to www.naspeforum.org and then click on the PE2020 link. Remember, your opportunity to give feedback on this document lasts until the end of June.

Best regard,

Steve Jefferies, publisher pelinks4u

Ps. If you run into any problems downloading any of the documents on the NASPE Forum please be sure to refresh your browser or try a different browser. We have tested them with most browsers and on Macs and PCs. They work!

TAKING A STEP BACK TO MOVE FORWARD
Summer is a great time to reflect on the school year and think about what you might do this fall to improve your students' learning experiences. pelinks4u contributing editor Jon Poole suggests this month that you might like to consider taking an "action research" approach to changes. It's a method that K-12 physical educators can easily implement, and has the advantage of being a systematic way of discovering if your new idea or teaching strategy is truly working.

In this article, Jon shares the example of a new classroom management strategy developed by Steve Shelton of Christiansburg, VA that resolved a problem he faced with kids sitting out of physical education. In Radford, VA, John Pierce discovered that using technology motivated his less active students to increase their effort, while changes in his teaching style seemed to have much less effect. Maybe there's something in your program you like to improve? If so, Jon's advice might inspire a solution.

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SUMMER PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS
What can you do to prepare your students to stay physically active during the summer? If you've been following the PE2020 discussion you'll know that much attention has focused on developing "community connections." As all of us know it's more important what kids do when they are not in physical education classes than during the small amount of time they are with us.

pelinks4u contributing editor Gerry Cernicky shares ideas for bridging the gap between school and summer vacation. He discusses a wide variety of physical activity opportunities that might be available in your community, together with activities that students can create for themselves. Before the end of the school year or through any communication you have with your students and their families over the summer consider what you can do to keep your kids active and healthy until they return in the fall.

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GLIDING DISCS FOR KIDS
Looking for a new fitness activity for the fall? Look no further. pelinks4u contributing editor Deborah D'Acquisto explains the emergence of "gliding discs" from their initial conception with paper plates into today's purpose designed fitness equipment. If you can get over the "why didn't I think of this first" question, you'll find Deborah's article a wonderful resource for some of the unique ways that you can add variety to your exercise routines with this simple and relatively inexpensive equipment.

Included are detailed exercise explanations, sample routines, and video links. Be the first to get gliding discs into your school!   

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INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS TRAINING: MENTAL TRAINING TOOLS
Christine Lottes continues this month with a second article on psychological skills training for athletes. Last month, Christine explained the value of adding mental training to traditional physical conditioning and skills practice. HOW to do it is the focus of this article.

Included is a script you can use when explaining mental skills training to your athletes. Goal setting, imagery, relaxation, self-talk, energy management, and stress management are the focus, and according to Christine are all interrelated. If you've wondered about how to improve your athletes mental skills but weren't sure how to start, read this article. It also includes a handout you can use with your athletes.     read more...

LITTLE THINGS MAKE BIG THINGS HAPPEN!
Taking John Wooden's quote of "It's the little details that are vital…Little things make big things happen" as his theme, pelinks4u contributing editor, Bill Utsey offers coaches suggestions for summer activities.

First on his list is to get active and recreate. Coaching can be stressful and being in good physical condition is vital. Bill then shares a summer reading list he recommends to his coaches and a separate list he suggests they share with their athletes. The article concludes with coaching advice for preseason and in season planning: Excellent advice for head coaches and those aspiring to become one.    

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STARTING AN ADAPTED AQUATICS PROGRAM
For individuals with disabilities, water-based physical activity can be more than just fun. Water environments free us to move in ways that would be impossible on land. This month, regular pelinks4u contributor Phillip Conatser and his colleague Eric James outline steps that need to be considered when starting an adapted aquatic program. Their advice is to start small and work through the local challenges you might face in making this a successful experience. They describe the many sources of volunteers often willing to help with adapted programs, together with the paperwork and equipment needs. Maybe you could share this idea with someone in your community and create this special opportunity for young people with disabilities?    read more...

THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME
Author Acsah Abraham writes that Down syndrome is the most common genetic syndrome affecting approximately 13 out of every 10,000 children born in the USA. Those affected experience a wide variety of physical and mental disabilities that vary in severity.

In the early 20th century, life expectancy was only about 9 years, but today many of those with Down syndrome live beyond 60. In this article Abraham explains the benefits of physical activity for Down syndrome individuals, and points out that for people with any kind of disability it's vital to help them avoid sedentary living due to the risk of acquiring other debilitating diseases.    read more...