Guiding Principles
PHE Canada adheres to the following guiding principles related to Physical Education:
- Physical Education is a fundamental right for all students in Canadian schools.
- Teachers must be knowledgeable, critically reflective, and passionate.
- Programs are developed based on sound pedagogical principles and current assessment practices that address individual student needs.
- Planned program activities are balanced, multi-dimensional, and culturally relevant.
By adhering to these Guiding Principles, a quality/comprehensive Physical Education program provides a foundation for the development of physical literacy; enabling students to live physically active and healthy lives.
Standards
PHE Canada recommends that such a program require the following as a minimum:
- A minimum of 30 minutes of physical education every day of the school year
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives.
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasis on student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health
- Adherence to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices.
- All students are taught by a qualified physical educator
- Achievement of provincial curriculum learning outcomes
Breakdown of the Award Levels
Requirements for a 1 Star
- Achieves provincial curriculum learning outcomes
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health and wellness
- Adhere to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices
- Meets or exceeds provincial curriculum recommendations for minimum instructional time in physical education
Requirements for a Two Star award
- Achieves provincial curriculum learning outcomes
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health
- Adhere to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices
- A minimum of 150 minutes of PE per week, divided among at least 3 days per week - 92.5 hours of PE per school year
Requirements for a Three Star award
- Achieves provincial curriculum learning outcomes
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health and wellness
- Adhere to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices
- All students are taught by a qualified physical educator
- A minimum of 150 minutes of PE per week, divided among at least 3 days per week - 92.5 hours of PE per school year
Requirements for a Four Star award
- Achieves provincial curriculum learning outcomes
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health and wellness
- Adhere to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices
- All students are taught by a qualified physical educator
- Minimum of 30 minutes of physical education every day of the school year
*For schools that offer kindergarten less frequently than full day, every day (such as half day or every other day), minute requirements may be condensed in proportion to the reduction in instructional time.