Introduction to Minnesota Academic Standards in Physical Education

Physical Education Standards Background

Minnesota is currently in the process of adopting the 2018 Academic Standards in Physical Education. They are to be fully implemented by the 2021-22 school year. For more information regarding the transition period, see the Recommended Transition Timeline on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Physical Education webpage. According to current statutes, the next review of the physical education standards is scheduled to occur during the 2022-23 school year.

Historical Context

The 2018 Academic Standards in Physical Education set the expectations for achievement in physical education for K-12 students in Minnesota. Benchmarks are placed at the grade level where mastery is expected with the recognition that intentional experiences at earlier grades are required to facilitate learning and mastery for other grade levels. This document is grounded in the belief that all students can and should be physically literate. Physical literacy enables people to apply movement principles and knowledge with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit healthy development for a lifetime. The standards and benchmarks describe a connected body of physical activity competencies that are acquired through:

• Development of motor skill and movement patterns.
• Application of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.
• Achievement and maintenance of health-enhancing physical activity and fitness.
• Exhibition of responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings.
• Recognition of the value physical activity has on health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

Foundational Documents for the Physical Education Standards

The foundational documents used in the development of the physical education standards include:

• The National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education (2014), SHAPE America
• Minnesota Career Fields, Clusters & Pathways (2016), Minnesota State and Minnesota Department of Education
• College and Work Readiness Expectations (2006-2007), Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership working group
• Recommended Standards for Information and Technology Literacy from the Minnesota Educational Media Organization (MEMO, 2009), now named the Information and Technology Educators of Minnesota (ITEM, www.mnitem.org/Standards)
• Physical Education standards from several states

Other important resources included:

• Documents from SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) America (https://www.shapeamerica.org/)
  • Essential Components for Physical Education
  • Appropriate Instructional Practices Guidelines in Physical Education
  • Opportunities to Learn Guidelines in Physical Education
• National and State Data documents for Physical Education
  • SHAPE of the Nation Report, 2016, SHAPE America, American Heart Association, Voices for Healthy Kids
  • Physical Education Profiles, 2012, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Physical Education Profiles in Secondary Schools, 2014, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • A Report on Student Experience with Physical Education in Minnesota Schools, 2014, Minnesota Department of Education
  • Examining and Developing Statewide Swimming Resources Inventory Report, 2016, Minnesota Department of Education
  • Examining and Developing Statewide Swimming Resources Committee Report, 2016, Minnesota Department of Education

Organization

The Minnesota Academic Standards in Physical Education utilize an “anchor standard” approach. Five standards establish the overall goals for student learning, and these standards are repeated from kindergarten through grade 12. Each standard is comprised of one or more benchmarks that are unique to that grade level. The benchmarks are organized into focus areas. For example, the benchmarks for the first standard are organized into the focus areas of locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative.

Each standard and benchmark begins with the phrase, “The student will…”

The benchmarks for each standard are designated by four-digit codes. For example, in the code 0.1.3.16—

• The 0 refers to grade Kindergarten;
• The 1 refers to the first standard, Demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns;
• The 3 refers to the third focus area, Manipulative;
• The 16 refers to the sixteenth benchmark for focus area three, Jump a single jump with a self-turned rope.

Examples provided in the standards are intended to clarify the meaning of the benchmark and are optional.

There are some K-5 benchmark progressions that emerge after kindergarten due to skills in the benchmark progression that are not developmentally appropriate in earlier grade levels. These benchmarks are indicated by the statement “Developmental and emerging benchmarks first appear in grade…”

The 2018 physical education standards include an appendix that further clarifies terminology used in the benchmarks. Information in the appendix includes:

• A Glossary of terms referenced in the standards.
• A description of Activity Categories referenced in the standards.
• A narrative of Critical Elements referenced in the standards.

References

Minnesota Educational Media Organization. (2009). MEMO guidelines for standards in information and technology literacy. Roseville, MN: Information and Technology Educators of Minnesota. https://www.mnlibraryassociation.org/page/ITEMstandards2019

Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership working group. (2006-2007). The road map to college and career readiness for Minnesota students. Minneapolis, MN: Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership.

Minnesota State, & Minnesota Department of Education. (2016). Minnesota career fields, clusters & pathways. http://www.minnstate.edu/system/cte/consortium_resources/documents/POS-Career-Wheel-8x11-2016.pdf

SHAPE America. (2010). Opportunities to learn guidelines in physical education. Reston, VA: Author. https://www.shapeamerica.org//upload/Opportunity-to-Learn-Guidelines.pdf

SHAPE America. (2014). Appropriate instructional practices guidelines for physical education. Reston, VA: Author. https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/guidelines/apppracticedoc.aspx

SHAPE America. (2014). National standards & grade-level outcomes for K-12 physical education. Reston, VA: Author. https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/pe/

SHAPE America. (2015). The essential components for physical education. Reston, VA: Author. https://www.shapeamerica.org/uploads/pdfs/TheEssentialComponentsOfPhysicalEducation.pdf