K. Andrew R. Richards

Understanding the Realities of School Life: Recommendations for the Preparation of Physical Education Teachers

While quality physical education teacher education requires recruits to be trained in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for effective teaching, research stemming from socialization theory and role theory indicates that this may not be adequate. Pre-service teachers also need to be made aware of organizational challenges they will face when transitioning into their first teaching position. These challenges stem from the ways in which recruits are socialized into physical education, and are related to the complex, sociopolitical structure of schooling. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the organizational challenges faced by beginning physical education teachers and to present recommendations for how teacher training programs can better prepare pre-service teachers to meet these challenges. The discussion includes both general and specific strategies that can be implemented to provide pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their ability to navigate life in the sociopolitical contexts of schools. Preparing students for the realities of school life should correspond with a decrease in reality shock and the washout effect.

Toward a Multidimensional Perspective on Teacher-Coach Role Conflict

Research grounded in role theory and occupational socialization theory point to the potential consequences of occupying the roles of physical education teacher and athletic coach concurrently. Specifically, time constraints and inconsistencies in role requirements, organization, rewards, and modes of accountability in teaching and coaching create challenges and may force some teacher/coaches to choose one role as primary to the detriment of the other role. However, most of this research has diminished or altogether neglected the impact of individual identity and social context on the experience of role conflict. The purpose of this paper is to review research related to role conflict in the dual role of teacher/coaches and to propose a conceptual model for viewing teacher/coaches role conflict from a multidimensional perspective. Finally, a case is made for a revitalization of teacher/coaches role conflict research in physical education.

A Comparison of Student Attitudes, Statistical Reasoning, Performance, and Perceptions for Web-augmented Traditional, Fully Online, and Flipped Sections of a Statistical Literacy Class

Web-augmented traditional lecture, fully online, and flipped sections, all taught by the same instructor with the same course schedule, assignments, and exams in the same semester, were compared with regards to student attitudes; statistical reasoning; performance on common exams, homework, and projects; and perceptions of the course and instructor. The Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics-36 (SATS-36) instrument and eight questions from the Statistical Reasoning Assessment (SRA) were given both at the beginning and end of the semester to measure change. The students selected their own sections, but the students in the sections were similar demographically, with similar pre-course college grade point averages. The SATS-36 showed increases in affect, cognitive competence, and perceived easiness and decreases in value, interest, and effort from beginning to end of the semester for all sections. Only affect and perceived easiness showed any differences for section, with traditional higher than online on average for both. Results from the SRA questions showed an increase in correct statistical reasoning skills and decrease in misconceptions for all sections over the semester. Traditional students scored higher on average on all three exams, but there were no significant differences between sections on homework, the project, or on university evaluations of the course or instructor. Results are contextualized with prior educational research on course modalities, and proposals for future research are provided.

Understanding physical educators’ perceptions of mattering: Validation of the Perceived Mattering Questionnaire – Physical Education

Previous research has illustrated that physical educators feel their subject is valued less than others in the context of schools. However, to date, no instruments have been developed to measure physical education teachers’ perceptions of mattering. This study sought to propose and validate the Perceived Mattering Questionnaire – Physical Education (PMQ-PE). In total, 460 physical educators completed an online survey that measured perceived mattering, role stress, and resilience. Data analysis began with exploratory factor analysis to identify a stable two-factor structure that measured physical educators’ perceptions that they matter and that the discipline of physical education matters. Next, confirmatory factor analysis was used to affirm the factor structure and to examine convergent, discriminant, and divergent validity. The model was a good fit for the data and the PMQ-PE correlated positively with resilience and negatively with role stress. These analyses support initial validation of the PMQ-PE.

Initial Validation of the Teacher/Coach Role Conflict Scale

The study of teacher/coach role conflict has a long history in the physical education literature. However, only a few studies have measured the construct using psychometric instrumentation. Ryan (2008) created one such instrument, but the survey was not validated prior to use. As such, the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the factorial, convergent, and divergent validity of Ryan’s (2008) Teacher/Coach Role Conflict Scale. Participants included 194 teacher/coaches who taught a variety of academic subjects. Preliminary analyses indicated that there were no differences among participants with reference to gender, teaching affiliation, school context, or school level. Results from confirmatory factor analysis indicated that, after the specification of a correlated error, the hypothesized model was a good fit for the data, χ2(33) = 88.92, p < .001; CFI = .97; NNFI = .96; SRMR = .05; RMSEA = .09. Correlational analyses indicated that the instrument correlated positively with other measures of role stress and negatively with personal accomplishment, which supports convergent and divergent validity, respectively. Implications of the research as well as directions for future studies are discussed.

Understanding the perceived mattering of physical education teachers

ABSTRACT Previous research related to occupational socialization theory has indicated that, in certain school contexts, physical education (PE) and physical education teachers are socially constructed as being less important than, or marginal to, the primary purpose of schooling. This research highlights the challenges associated with occupying a position of marginality. Another way to look at the social experiences of physical education teachers is to examine the extent to which they feel as if they matter to those around them. Drawing upon qualitative and quantitative data sources, the purpose of this study was to examine physical education teachers’ perceived mattering. A mixed-methods design was employed, and data sources included responses to an online survey (N = 105) and individual telephone interviews (N = 23). Quantitative data were analyzed using 2 × 2 (education × teaching level) Factorial MANOVA; interview data were analyzed using analytic induction and constant comparison. Quantitative analyses indicated that teachers with advanced degrees and those in secondary schools perceived a higher level of mattering than those with bachelor’s degrees and teaching in elementary schools. Respondents perceived that PE mattered slightly more than they did as teachers of the subject. Qualitative analysis indicated that (a) relationships were critical to teachers’ mattering, (b) physical location of the gym and isolation contributed to mattering, and (c) PE was viewed as a service to others in their workplace. Perceived matter is dependent upon a variety of factors related to both personal and workplace factors. Enhancing teachers’ perceptions of mattering may reduce feelings of marginalization.

All In: Teachers' and College Faculty's Roles in Recruiting Future Physical Educators

A 10-year trend of nationwide decreases in teacher preparation enrollments has been notable in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs. Many factors have been offered as an explanation for this drop, including the convenience of online options, a strained economy, political factors, and widespread “teacher bashing.” This article uses the acculturation phase of occupational socialization theory to examine how the physical education profession can effectively recruit prospective teachers. Actions are suggested for K–12 physical educators and PETE professors, both independently and in collaboration, that could foster young peoples interest in the profession. The strategies physical educators could implement include engaging potential recruits in conversations about the physical education profession, providing teaching assistant opportunities, and setting up campus visits for students expressing interest in the profession. College/university faculty can also recruit undeclared students, nurture current PETE candidates, collaborate with local junior-college faculty and advisors, and use inservice professional development opportunities to connect with potential recruits. While none of these is the “silver bullet” to retaining a profession, each provides a way current physical education professionals may contribute to the growth of our field.

Student Learning and Motivation in Physical Education

In a previous Advocacy in Action article, Richards and Wilson (2012) discussed quality physical education (PE) as a precursor to advocacy. It was argued that, before PE teachers can be effective advocates, they must first develop a high-quality PE program for which to advocate. This article extends the points made by Richards and Wilson by arguing that, in addition to being standards-based, a high-quality PE program should promote a student-centered learning environment.

Initial Validation of the Physical Education Marginalization and Isolation Survey (PE-MAIS)

ABSTRACT Qualitative research conducted through occupational socialization theory has documented that physical educators feel marginalized and isolated in schools. We sought to propose and provide initial evidence of validity and reliability for the Physical Education Marginalization and Isolation Survey (PE-MAIS). Physical educators (n = 420) completed an online survey including isolation and marginalization, perceived mattering, and burnout. Data analyses began with exploratory factor analysis, which identified a stable 10-item, 2-factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to affirm the structure and examine convergent, discriminant, and divergent validity. The model fit was good, χ2(34) = 71.12, p < .001, NNFI = .91, CFI = .94, SRMR = .05, RMSEA = .07 (90% CI [.052, .093], p = .03), and the new measure correlated positively with burnout and negatively with perceived mattering. Invariance analysis indicated that elementary and secondary physical educators interpreted the constructs similarly, and there were no significant differences between the groups.

Socialisation and learning to teach using the teaching personal and social responsibility approach

ABSTRACT Occupational socialisation theory (OST) is a dialectical approach to understanding teachers’ recruitment, training, and lived experiences in school settings. Research using this model has shown that socialisation influences how physical educators interpret or ‘read’ pedagogical models. However, this research has not been extended to the teaching personal and social responsibility (TPSR) model, which differs from other models in its concurrent focus on responsibility and physical activity outcomes. This study, therefore, sought to understand how physical educators learned to use the model in light of current and prior socialisation. Participants included eight physical education teachers (five females, three males) from two schools in New Zealand. Data collection included four individual interviews with each teacher and systematic and ethnographic observations of teaching. Results indicated that prior socialisation and influences within the current school influenced fidelity to the TPSR model. Social support and alignment of the model with other school initiatives supported implementation, whereas a lack of clarity and competing priorities reduced fidelity. Results are discussed in relation to OST, and future directions for research are proposed.