ERIC Number: ED318584
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1990-Feb
Pages: 38
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Multicultural Understanding in Physical Education.
Sparks, William; Wayman, Landace
This study compares the knowledge, attitudes, and current practices of physical education teachers in urban and rural areas, with regard to multicultural education. A mailed questionnaire was completed by 70 public school physical education teachers, 44 from rural Kansas and 26 from Detroit and Flint, Michigan. Of those responding to specific questions, 60% were male; 40% were 31-45 years old; 60% had over 10 years teaching experience; 33% had been teaching physical education for over 20 years; and 75% had some sort of training in multicultural education. Ethnic mixtures within the school population ranged from 70% Hispanic or Black to 88% White. Compared to urban teachers, rural teachers had a poorer understanding of ethnic diversity; had a better understanding of the customs and traditions of differing cultures; had stronger beliefs in providing opportunities for students of different ethnic origins to have intercultural experiences; and had weaker beliefs in developing students' interpersonal communication skills as a means of promoting problem solving and conflict resolution. Physical education programs in rural areas seldom integrated role models from both sexes at the secondary level, or role models from the non-dominant race at either the elementary or secondary level. Neither rural nor urban programs provided an appropriate balance of activities of interest to both sexes. This report contains the survey instrument, recommendations for overcoming inequities in physical education programs, and 11 references. (SV)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kansas; Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A