The APE Added Authorization authorizes the holder to conduct Educational Assessments related to students’ progress towards meeting instructional physical education goals, provide instruction, and Special Education support to teach students with special needs who are precluded from participation in the activities of the general physical education program or a specially designed physical education program in a special class, from birth through age 22, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults.
Program Learning Outcomes
The APEAA program within the PLNU School of Education is field- based and designed around themes and practices that reflect current research and practice. The following are the School of Education’s themes:
- Diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic groups: APEAA candidates will acquire knowledge about and demonstrate sensitivity toward students of diverse backgrounds. The program provides instruction in understanding and acceptance of differences in culture, cultural heritage, ethnicity, language, age, religion, social economic status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, and abilities and disabilities of individuals served within the physical education setting.
- Morals, ethics, and values: APEAA candidates will address such topics as the integration of morals, ethics, and values in the classroom. They will receive instruction and be able to demonstrate ethical standards of teaching in physical education, of evidence-based physical educational practices in relation to theories, research and regulations necessary to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities and their families.
- High Leverage Practices: All effective teachers must possess a repertoire of strategies in order to teach students with a full range of academic abilities, skills and backgrounds. Through the application of these diverse teaching models, APEAA candidates will learn how different approaches can enhance their future students’ self-efficacy, academic achievement and APE learning environments.
- Assessment and Motor Development: To be effective in the APE environment, teachers need to have a strong background in motor development and an in-depth understanding of assessment. Various models will be explored. The APEAA courses are designed so that candidates are educated from a global perspective of education. Additionally, other courses focus on the methodologies furthering the application and practice of theory and research. The practice and application components of the methods courses are easily facilitated due to the field- based nature of the APEAA program.