Program Guide for Physical Education Plus (B.S.E.)

Goal

This program enables teacher candidates to 1) apply for a Kansas state teaching license with an endorsement in Physical Education (PK-12), and 2) prepare them to pursue endorsement in an additional secondary teaching field, or complete a minor in another academic area.

Overview

95-107 credits of general education, physical education content, and professional courses, and an interchangeable block of 18-25 credits in a second field.

Rationale

Individuals with an initial teaching license are designated by the state of Kansas as “highly qualified” to teach the subject in which they have an endorsement. Teachers with two or more teaching endorsements are more marketable than those with only one. Graduates will be eligible to apply for additional job openings. Once hired, they can move from one subject area to another as deemed necessary by their school or district.

Secondary physical education teachers are often called upon to serve as Athletic Director for high school and/or middle school sports. Coursework in business or management will prepare prospective teachers for administrative duties beyond the classroom.

An initial teaching license in physical education is proposed because PE has unique teaching methodology and classroom management strategies that are essential for effectiveness and student learning. The physical education teaching context presents challenges that require special managerial and instructional techniques which can also facilitate success in a classroom context. Physical education training can prepare prospective educators to teach in both contexts--the gymnasium and the classroom.

Background

Since June 2012, licensed Kansas teachers can add endorsements by passing the appropriate content exam through ETS. The KSDE Licensure Regulation 91-1-209 reads as follows:

(f)(1) Except as prescribed in paragraph (f)(2), any person who holds a valid teaching license may add an additional teaching endorsement by submitting to the state board the following: (A) Verification of successful completion of the endorsement content assessment prescribed by the state board; (B) an application for an added endorsement; and (C) the application fee.

(f)(2) Teaching endorsements for early childhood, early childhood unified, early childhood through late childhood generalist (elementary), adaptive, functional, gifted, deaf or hard-of-hearing, or visually impaired shall not be available under paragraph (f)(1). (Authorized by and implementing Article 6, Section 2(a) of the Kansas Constitution; effective July 1, 2003; amended Aug. 10, 2007; amended July 18, 2008; amended July 27, 2012.)

This regulation enables licensed teachers to take an exam and be awarded endorsements in one or more additional teaching fields, excluding those listed in paragraph (f)(2). They can do so without coursework, field experience, observation, practice teaching, etc. in their second subject. The State of Kansas considers them “highly qualified” teachers in a field in which they have received no training. The proposed program would provide relevant coursework in two endorsement areas so graduates are more deserving of the distinction of a highly-qualified teacher in both fields.

PE PLUS Options

Minors