The False Equivalent – A Fix

I recently researched how high schools award credit for diploma-required courses like Physical Education. The results indicate that PE substitution options are now considered standard practice.

A substitution allows a student to use a proxy in place of traditional physical education. This may be a school sport, marching band, ROTC, an online course, summer school, or earning high school credit as an 8th grader.

Substitutions are popular and trending. Most schools already have policies in place. Many schools report that substitutions are the standard. The PE class has become the exception.

It’s a growing trend nationwide. School districts are adopting one or more of these popular proxies:

In my opinion, none of the proxies are an adequate substitution for Quality Physical Education (QPE). Policymakers who accept substitutions obviously think it is OK. They rationalize the use of proxies by conflating that Physical Activity (PA) in any form is equivalent to Physical Education (PE).

What if substitutions come to your school? What if they already exist? Substitutions are difficult to manage without fixing the false equivalency of “PA equals PE.” One impactful way is an adherence to all PE standards, especially the cognitive aspects.

Substitution proxies should adhere to the requirements of the diploma required course.

That means PE credit must be earned by something besides dressing out and participation. There must be a clear differentiation of EDUCATION versus ACTIVITY. One method that works for any proxy is an academic curriculum that addresses knowledge aspects in equal portion to skills and confidence.

I have seen this work at schools that use Interactive PE (IPE) or their own academic curriculum. iPE has the lessons and assessments to teach and measure physical literacy – the fundamental outcome of PE.

Including physical literacy as both a course and proxy requirement addresses the false equivalency by requiring a balanced kinetic and cognitive curriculum. Here’s how an updated proxy requirement works:

“Students have the option to substitute [insert proxy here] for PE course credit. A course grade is based on completion of the physical literacy requirements in our standard PE course.”

There are two types of schools. Those that have adopted a substitution policy and those considering one. I invite you to review the course description and the units of study associated with iHealth for Physical Education (iPE).

This is one of many available options. Let’s discuss your game plan for next generation PE courses that address the false equivalency of substitutions.

All the best . . . ~g

Gary Lemke, ​Interactive