This magazine feature presents four articles whose focus is the issue of diversity in physical education. The articles specifically address issues and strategies concerning recruitment and retention of African-American faculty in the field of physical education. (GLR)

Describes study results that help to explain why U.S. children are not as fit as many health and physical education professionals think they should be, and discusses whether aerobic activity is sufficient for physical fitness. (GLR)

American education reflects a social belief that work and leisure are separate, yet public schools are expected to educate for both. The article discusses education and work, the emergence of clock time, functions of public education, the role of play in education, and public schools' roles in the year 2000. (SM)

People with mental retardation have been overlooked in recreation/leisure and decision making, which are integral to full community participation. They must be provided with leisure education and decision-making skills. The article describes the Decision Making in Leisure model, explaining its use with individuals with mental retardation. (SM)

Recreation and physical education professionals can positively influence the well-being and life experiences of home-centered elderly clients who are often deprived of social and physical needs. The article discusses the value of extending recreation, health, and physical fitness services into home settings, providing suggestions for accomplishing…

Leisure educators and professionals recently met to examine leisure awareness over five centuries, reinforcing a resurgence of interest in the subject. The paper defines leisure awareness, presents a history of leisure starting in the Pre-Columbian era, and discusses leisure awareness and the family, the community, and education. (SM)

Because some high school student athletes use steroids, educational intervention should occur in middle and high school. The health and physical educator is important in prevention or early intervention. Community/school-based intervention is recommended. The article discusses psychological and physical addiction and presents guidelines and…

Seven articles discuss research by and for practitioners. The topics include demystification of research for practitioners, experiences with helping teacher researchers, an application of a collaborative action research model, one health practitioner's experience, creating a dance research database, basic data analysis for nonresearchers, and why…

A collection of articles details the history and significance of the early professional schools, also known as normal schools, that form the foundation for the physical education profession today. The articles describe each of seven institutions up until they either affiliated with a college or closed. (SM)

In the Praxis Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers program, trained assessors observe teacher candidates in their assigned teaching environments and determine their instructional effectiveness. The article highlights the program's improvements over its predecessor, noting the need to explore teaching performance as a new…

Article examines the processes of forming and implementing the British physical education (PE) national curriculum and presents the essential elements of the curriculum, discussing the effects of the national curriculum on British PE to date, and noting possible implications for PE in the United States. (SM)

Four articles discuss the preparation of dance educators and the development of dance teachers' competencies, focusing on the knowledge base for competent dance teaching, the preparation of effective teachers, motor learning knowledge in the dance education curriculum, and realities, myths, and priorities in dance teacher competency. (SM)

The ecological task analysis approach to teaching physical education provides a framework for the processes of assessment and instruction that differs from the traditional teacher-directed methods. The article discusses the model's advantages and describes how teachers can implement the model. (SM)

Nine articles provide strategies for teaching mainstreamed students with disabilities in regular physical education classes. Topics include breaking from traditional curricula, equal status relationships in the gym, developing successful collaborative relationships, preplanning, the research base, inclusive preschool, and preparing teachers. (SM)

Primary grade students at a Delaware elementary school currently participate in the Pulse Power heart physiology program. Students receive mastery instruction and use heart monitors to exercise performance throughout the 6-phase program. Data from homework and from the heart monitors identify student progress, knowledge, and cardiovascular…