ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Adapted Physical Education is a direct service provided to exceptional children who meet certain criteria. All students are entitled by Federal and State law to participate in Physical Education. Those students with disabilities who are unable to participate safely and/or successfully in regular physical education are eligible for Adapted Physical Education service. The regular Physical Education Teacher and/or Adapted Physical Educator are responsible for providing instruction to the student with disability.

ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEFINED:

FEDERAL DEFINITION:

Physical Education is mandated by Public Law 94-142. It is a direct rather than a related service. Physical Education serviced, specially designed, if necessary, must be made available to every handicapped child receiving a free, appropriate public education (FAPE). Each handicapped child must be afforded the opportunity to participate in the regular physical education program available to the non-handicapped child unless:

1. The child is enrolled full time in a separate facility or

2. The child needs specially designed physical education as prescribed in the child’s Individualized Education program

The term “Physical Education”, as used under the law, means the development of physical and motor fitness, fundamental motor skills and patterns, skills in aquatics, dance, individual and group games and sports (including intramural and lifetime sports). The term physical education includes special education, adapted physical education, movement education and motor development. (P.L. 94-142, P.L. 101-476, Fed. Reg. 300.307).

North Carolina Department of Instruction:

A diversified program of activities specially designed for an individual who meets eligibility criteria for special education and/or related services and is not able to participate safely and / or successfully in the regular physical education program.

1. Physical Education is the development of:

a) skills leading to physical and motor fitness

b) fundamental motor skills and patterns; and

c) skills in aquatics, dance and individual and group games and sports

2. Physical education includes special physical education, adapted physical education, movement education and motor development.

3. Physical education services, specially designed if necessary, must be made available to every child with a disability receiving a free appropriate public education.

4. Regular Physical education. Each child with a disability must be afforded the opportunity to participate in the regular physical education program available to non-disabled children unless:

a) the child is enrolled full-time in a separate facility or

b) the child’s adapted physical education program, as described in the IEP, requires an alternative service delivery model

5. IF adapted physical education is required in a child’s IEP, the local education agency responsible for the education of that child shall provide the services directly, or make arrangements for those services to be provided through other public or private programs.

6. Adapted physical education services must be provided, to the maximum extent appropriate, in regular class environments with children who are not disabled. Placement for Adapted Physical education services is to be made on the basis of the individual student’s educational needs as required in the IEP.

7. The local education agency responsible for the education of a child with a disability who is enrolled in a separate facility shall ensure that the child receives adapted physical education.

Ann Hughes 763-5431 ext. #4932 ahughes2@nhcs.net APE Referral Form APE Website Links

Byron Miller 763-5431 ext. #4933 bmiller@nhcs.net APE Checklist APE Equipment List #1 & List #2