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Overview of Physical Education
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Period: to
Early 1700's- Presesnt
This timeline shows the history of physical education. -
First Physical Education Teacher
Johann Friedrich Simon was the First Modern Physical Education teacher; he was a part of the curriculum at Johann Basedow's Philanthropinum in Dessau, Germany. The Philanthropinum was an experimental school with a portion of its curriculum devoted to physical training, including fencing, horseback riding, dancing, and ball games. -
Begining development of physical training
Friedrich Jahn was known as the father of gymnastics and began working outdoors with his students playing games as well as taking them on long hikes. He was motivated to develop the system of physical training because of Germany's involvement in the Napoleonic wars. He was developing this system in hopes of creating a strong and fearless youth who could help to defend Germany if something like that were to ever happen again. -
Denmark's Bill of First mandatory Physical Education
In 1814 Denmark passed a bill that established the first mandatory physical education. They became the first European state to introduce physical training into its schools as a part of the curriculum. They used gymnastics to instruct their teachers in teaching physical education. -
Catherine Beecher founds Hartford Seminary For Girls
This is a famous quote by Catherine Beecher:
"When physical education takes the proper place in our schools, young girls will be trained in the class-rooms to move head, hands and arms gracefully; to sit, to stand, and to walk properly, and to pursue callisthenic exercises for physical development as a regular school duty as much as their studies". -
First Physical Education Teacher in America
Charles Beck was the first formal instructor of physical education in the country. The Round Hill School was the first to make physical education an important part in an educational curriculum. The popularization of physical education went hand in hand with the popularization of sports. -
Establishment of the first college gym
A milestone in organizational physical eduation was the Harvard college started the first college gymnasium in 1826. Then to follow up, Yale established grounds for gymnastics in the same year. -
First Turnverein in the U.S. established
German immigrants brought with them their views about gymnastics. The movement of gymnastics was brought over to the United States by these immigrants. Many exercise halls and playgrounds for practicing gymnastics were developed in Mid-Western cities. -
Vassar College created program for physical training
Vassar College establishes a special program of physical training based on the belief that good health is essential for the development of women's mental and moral powers. This program required students to participate in Swedish calistenics and simple feminine sports. -
Formation of Association for the Advancement of Physical Education
In 1885 William G. Anderson was deeply concerned about his own lack of training and preparation to be a professional physical educator so November 27, 1885 he held a meeting for people who were also interested in the profession and they formed the Association for the Advancement of Physical Education. Dr. Edward Hitchcock who developed the first collegiate physical education program 24 years earlier was elected the president of the group. -
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
The NCAA was created as an outcome of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States. The presidents of five major institutions like Army, Navy, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale Army gathered to decide how to make college athletics safer, and as a result of that NCAA was born. -
Fitness in the United States by the 1950's
By 1950, there were over 400 United States colleges and universities offering majors in physical education and there was increasing recognition of the scientific foundation of physical education. This was the beginning of the foundation for physical education. In 1957 President Eisenhower acted on his dismay at the physical weakness of American youth and being bringing physical education to the surface. -
Title IX
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance..."
Title IX was a breaking movement that opened the door for women in fitess. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act mandated an end to discrimination against individuals based on disabilities. The five areas this law addressed included employment practices, public accommodations, public services, transportation, and telecommunications. In accordance with sport and physical education, the law requires that all sport and recreational. Facilities must provide for equal access to individuals with disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind Act
This Act of Congress was a reauthorization and major revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It was originally proposed by President George W. Bush and required states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students’ grades 3-8 if those states are to receive federal funding for education. This Act relates to all aspects of a child's educational success, including that of physical education. -
Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Act, Public Law 108-466 was passed on this day as an amendment to the original IDEA, and states: "physical education is a required service for children and youth between the ages of 3-21 who qualify for special education services because of a specific disability or developmental delay." -
SPARK PROGRAM
SPARK PROGRAM
SPARK strives to improve the health of children, adolescents, and adults by disseminating evidence-based Physical Education, After School, Early Childhood, and Coordinated School Health programs to teachers and recreation. Each SPARK program fosters environmental and behavioral change by providing a coordinated package of highly active curriculum, on-site teacher training, extensive follow-up support, and content-matched equipment.
