Adapted Physical Education
Program Overview
Philosophy
The philosophy of Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) is to provide
all students, including those with disabilities, with a quality physical
education program. BCPS must ensure that students with disabilities
have access to a program that includes the learning goals stated in
the Grade Level Standards for physical education based on the Maryland
State Department of Education Framework and Learning Goals. If special
services are required to assist students with disabilities to master
the Grade Level Standards or to meet individualized physical education
goals, these services should be provided under the guidance of an adapted
physical education consultant. Instructional methods, settings, materials
and time should be modified to create as optimal a learning environment
as is provided for students without disabilities. Students with disabilities
should be provided with fitness assessment and the opportunity to benefit
from a community-based, health-related physical education program.
Goal
Through a comprehensive and collaborative system of adapted physical
education, all students with disabilities will be provided quality physical
education instruction in accordance with the National Standards for
Physical Education developed by the National Association for Sport and
Physical Education (NASPE) to develop motor skills and fitness at their
appropriate level within the areas of psychomotor, cognitive, and affective
development.
Objectives
- To create a partnership between physical educators and APE consultants
for providing quality physical education instruction to students with
disabilities
- To value and address diversity in psychomotor skills for students
with disabilities in physical education
- To accept students with disabilities as individuals with unique
psychomotor needs
- To develop maximum psychomotor potential for students with disabilities
- To expand positive learning opportunities and results in physical
education for students with disabilities
- To provide ongoing skill development and support to students with
disabilities in physical education
- To explore and provide adaptations that will allow students with
disabilities to be full participants in physical education
