Adapted Physical Education Services
All students who receive special education services must receive instruction in physical education. Great physical education teachers, using curricula tied to national standards, employing appropriate and evidenced-based instructional practices, is foundational to adapting physical education for ALL learners.
Do you have concerns around a student's access to physical education? Fill out the following form for consultation/evaluation requests!
Adapted Physical Education Request Form
Want to stay up to date on Adapted PE news? Subscribe to our newsletter by emailing APE consultant Rhyanne Hartwig. In case you've missed it, archive of each monthly newsletter can be found here.
Physical Education and COVID-19
Resources for teachers and parents helping students stay active at home. Physical Education and Health activities are essential in dealing with the pandemic for bodies, behavior and brains keeping us healthy, active and calm.
Benefits of Physical Education and Physical Activity: Research and Resources
The research is convincing. The best thing we can do for our brains and learning is to get students moving.
Universal Design and Inclusive Practices
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a research-based set of principles to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and effective for ALL learners. Ian is a short film about playground inclusion.
Physical Education Resources
- Adapted Physical Education Reference Sheet
- The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (2015), includes physical education and health education as part of a “well-rounded” education, which should be offered to all students.
- SHAPE America standards and grade level outcomes for physical education
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports and Physical Education
- Disability Awareness Activity Packet
Information for Parents
Physical education is essential to a student’s overall education experience and builds a foundation for lifelong healthy living. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) requires schools to provide a “free appropriate public education” in the “least restrictive environment” including “instruction in physical education.”
Services and Supports for Physical Educators
Designed to meet the needs of physical educators delivering instruction, specially designed if necessary, to ALL children ages 3-21 who receive special education services and are required by federal law to have instruction in physical education. NEW service! Physical education equipment check out and delivery.
Physical Education and Students with Disabilities
IDEA 2004 requires that students with disabilities receive physical education services, specially designed if necessary.
Physical Education Equipment Available for Checkout
Differentiating instruction for diverse learners is easy when you have the right piece of equipment. Equipment in this collection supports inclusive physical education placements as well as adapted physical education classes. It can be used by all students for success.
Contact Rhyanne Hartwig for check-out. Items can be delivered to schools via the GWAEA vans.
Low-tech solutions to inclusion: Toys from Trash
Many recycled or inexpensive items can be used to augment or adapt physical education equipment. Here are designs for some unique "toys" from trash!
Buy or Purchase at a Discount
AEA Purchasing facilitates a voluntary purchasing program to help Iowa schools save money. Combined purchasing power offers aggressive pricing. Athletic and physical education equipment is part of this program. Check these prices before ordering.
No to Low Cost Ways to Promote Physical Activity
Equipment prepared by Ripley Marston, professor at the University of Northern Iowa.
Important contacts
Staff Directory