History of Physical Education in America

First Physical Education Teacher

1825

In 1825 Charles Beck became the first recognized teacher of physical education in the U.S. He taught at Round Hill School in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he developed a program of German gymnastics.

First College Gymnasium

1826

The first college gymnasium was opened at Harvard College by Charles Follen in 1826.

YMCA Established

1851

The first YMCA in the United States opened on December 29, 1851, in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded by Captain Thomas Valentine Sullivan, an American seaman. He was influenced by the London YMCA and saw the association as an opportunity to provide a "home away from home" for young sailors on shore leave. The goal of the YMCA is to "strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility". Learn more about the YMCA here.

Association for Advancement of Physical Education

1855

Founded by William G. Anderson in 1885, was the Association for the Advancement of Physical Education (AAPE). One of the most important goals of the association was to improve and professionalize the teaching of physical education. The first meeting of the organization occurred in 1885 and was the start of a systematic attempt to train physical education instructors.

First State to Require Physical Education in Schools.

1866

California becomes the first state to require physical education in schools. Other states began to follow over the next three decades. 1885- Creation of the American Alliance for health, Physical Activity, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

First Physical Education Training School

1887

Dudley Sargent operated the Harvard Summer School of Physical Education, which opened in 1887.This school was described as "probably the most important source of professional training in the United States during the early part of the twentieth century"

Presidential Physical Fitness Award

1966

Established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, The Presidential Physical Fitness Award program is designed to: 1) motivate boys and girls to develop and maintain a high level of physical fitness; 2) encourage good testing programs in the schools; 3) stimulate improvement of health and physical education programs and 4) provide additional information on the physical condition of America’s youth.

Title IX

1972

Title IX was enacted as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government. Title IX applies to all programs and activities of the school and includes, for example, conduct that takes place on school buses, during extracurricular activities, students participating in school athletic programs. In and out of school Physical education largely and quickly became co-educational.

SPARK Physical Education Program

1989

SPARK is the only National Institute of Health researched program that positively effects students' activity levels in and out of class, physical fitness, sports skills, and academic achievement. To learn more watch this video

The Americans with Disabilities Act

1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) bans discrimination on the basis of disability. Therefore, schools are required to comply with the accessibility requirements of the ADA and provide appropriate physical education and physical activity opportunities for students with disabilities.