The Pathway to School Reentry HPE teachers share readiness, concerns and needs in national survey By Diana Snyder
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n June, SHAPE America released its 2020-2021 School Reentry Considerations for K-12 Physical Education, Health Education, and Physical Activity. The document — which was created in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — reflected weeks of in-depth discussion and communication with state and district leaders from around the nation, as well as the results of professional focus groups and SHAPE America’s Teacher Reentry Survey, which was conducted in May. The reentry survey gathered data from thousands of K-12 teachers across all 50 states (and the District of Columbia) and across all grade levels in elementary, middle school and high school. It explored three critical elements facing health and physical educator during this turbulent time: • Back to School Readiness • Teacher Supports and Struggles • Professional Development Needs KEY FINDINGS The SHAPE America survey reflects the state of mind for health and physical education teachers as they faced school reentry in the 2020-2021 school year. Amid the ongoing pandemic, health and physical educators are thinking about the effects of distance learning on effective instructional practices. They are naturally concerned about their personal health and have specific concerns about the health and safety of students when using equipment. For many health and physical education teachers this is also a stressful time as budget cuts and the potential for job loss are significant concerns.
Not surprisingly, health and physical educators were feeling unprepared at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, with 82% of teachers reporting they had been given no information about what to expect in the fall. Momentum • Fall 2020
When asked to speculate about the most likely setting for teaching and learning in their school, 67% of teachers indicated that they were anticipating a hybrid model — one that would include a combination of distance and in-person learning. And, at the time of the survey, 70% of teachers indicated they were very or extremely likely to return. Recognizing that health and physical education offers essential benefits for students, especially in these times of isolation, a significant number of HPE teachers expressed hope that administrators would offer technology and modest equipment support and supplies so health and physical education could take place effectively no matter what model of learning the school opted to use in the fall.
80% of teachers indicated they are looking to SHAPE America to lead the way on best practices and guidance for HPE in schools over the next 12 months.
BACK TO SCHOOL READINESS
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K-12 Teacher Survey Health and Physical Education Reentry Considerations
TEACHER SUPPORTS AND STRUGGLES
When asked to express their greatest work-related concern in light of the ongoing pandemic, HPE teachers said they are thinking about the effects of distance learning on effective instructional practices. They are naturally concerned about their personal health but also voiced specific concerns about the health and safety of students when using equipment. They are eager to create “no touch” activities for groups and are looking for low-cost equipment solutions for at-home activities. They are also hoping for smaller class sizes in the fall.