Scheduled for Sport Management, Special Populations, Leisure and Recreation Posters, Thursday, April 3, 2003, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall A


Assessment of Sport Teachers Attitudes and Opinions Toward Adapted Physical Education

Aija Klavina, Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Jelgava, Latvia and Glenn M. Roswal, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL

Since 1993, the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia has developed several documents and policies to improve the education for children with disabilities. Data indicate approximately 8000 children with various special needs enrolled in regular schools in Latvia. To date, there is limited research in Latvia examining the benefits of inclusion for students with disabilities. An Assessment Questionnaire for Sport Teachers (AQST) was developed to assess attitudes and concerns of physical education teachers regarding inclusion of students with disabilities in regular sport lessons. The AQST comprised 20 statements, using a 5-point rating scale, in five distinct themes relating to: 1) need for specialists in adapted physical activity (APA), 2) need for APA programs for students with disabilities, 3) education of regular physical education teachers about APA, 4) inclusion of disabled students in regular physical education, and 5) cooperation between school administration and parents. The AQST was completed in 250 regular education settings. Results of the 1st theme of questions indicated feelings of inadequacy and lack of support personnel in programs for students with disabilities. The data also indicated a concern for the competence of regular teachers in developing adapted and socialization programs for disabled students. The 2nd theme indicated a need for knowledge and curricular modifications in current physical education programs. The 3rd theme concerned the education of regular physical education teachers in APA. Most respondents described their willingness to participate in additional education courses in APA. The 4th theme displayed teacher’s attitude and perception toward the acceptance or rejection of students with disability in regular sport lessons, and their professional skills to manage challenging behaviours of students with and without disability. The 5th group of questions indicated teachers’ attitude toward cooperation between school and community services working with people with special needs. The data revealed teachers’ willingness to cooperate with community services, especially as it relates to access to support personnel and providing opportunity for disabled students to take part in out of school activities. The purpose of the study was to explore the current status of inclusion of students with disabilities in regular physical activities. Since the results are descriptive, further study is needed to define a correlation between and among the five themes of the assessment and attitudes toward adapted physical activity programs. Overall, regular physical education teachers in Latvia have positive attitudes toward teaching students with disabilities in an inclusive environment.

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