Skip to main content

Table 1 Summary of policy domains, factor loadings, internal consistency (alpha), policy domain scores (mean, SD), and policy domain change score (mean, SD)

From: Identifying state-level policy and provision domains for physical education and physical activity in high school

  Policy domain (# items)

 Example item

Factor loadings (min-max)

Alpha (2000/ 2006)

Policy domain scores

2000

2006

Change

n

Mean (SD)

n

Mean (SD)

n

Mean (SD)

Coaching (5)

Has your state adopted a policy stating that head coaches of interscholastic sports will have a teaching certificate? (YES/NO)

0.440 -0.968

0.61/ 0.66

47

0.272 (0.299)

49

0.299 (0.302)

45

0.037 (0.332)

Collaboration (13)

During the past 12 months, have state physical education staff worked on physical education activities with staff or members from state-level health organizations (e.g. AHA, ACS)? (YES/NO)

0.464 - .995

0.89/ 0.86

51

0.545 (0.319)

51

0.703 (0.262)

51

0.158 (0.358)

Exemptions from PE religious or disability (3)

Based on policies adopted by your state, can senior high school students be exempt from physical education requirements for one grading period or longer for religious reasons? (YES/NO)

0.603 – 1.05

0.54/ 0.75

49

0.218 (0.301)

49

0.197 (0.319)

48

−0.021 (0.303)

Exemptions from PE for school or sport participation (4)

Based on policies adopted by your state, can senior high school students be exempt from physical education requirements for one grading period or longer for participation in other school related activities? (YES/NO)

0.613 – 1.08

0.80/ 0.75

49

0.125 (0.258)

49

0.102 (0.228)

47

−0.032 (0.219)

Require protective gear (3)

Has your state adopted a policy requiring that students wear appropriate protective gear when engaged in physical activities during physical education? (YES/NO)

0.68 – 1.06

0.87/ 0.73

49

0.242 (0.374)

51

0.252 (0.334)

49

−0.007 (0.386)

Maintain or inspect PA facilities (3)

Has your state adopted a policy on the inspection or maintenance of playground facilities and equipment, such as playing surfaces, benches, monkey bars, and swings? (YES/NO)

0.844 – 1.03

0.89/ 0.89

49

0.565 (0.452)

46

0.464 (0.458)

45

−0.089 (0.649)

Provide PE information or materials (5)

During the past 2 years, has your state education agency provided the following information or materials for senior high school physical education: Lesson plans or learning activities for physical education? (YES/NO)

0.424-1.03

0.85/ 0.63

51

0.304 (0.373)

51

0.325 (0.291)

51

0.022 (0.407)

Discourage physical activity as punishment (4)

Has your state adopted a policy that prohibits schools from using physical activity (e.g. laps or push-ups) to punish students for bad behavior in physical education? (YES/NO)

0.740 – 1.0

0.80/ 0.78

46

0.184 (0.286)

51

0.382 (0.284)

46

0.190 (0.366)

Implementation of adaptive PE (5)

Has your state adopted a policy stating that schools will implement the following measures to meet the physical education needs of students with permanent physical or cognitive disabilities: Providing adaptive physical education as appropriate? (YES/NO)

0.863 – 0.991

0.90/ 0.92

46

0.728 (0.367)

48

0.861 (0.298)

44

0.092 (0.389)

Staff development opportunities (14)

During the past 2 years, has your state education agency provided any funding for or offered staff development on each of the following topics to those who teach physical education (including workshops, conferences, continuing education, graduate courses, or other in-kind service: Encouraging family involvement in physical activity? (YES/NO)

0.589-1.04

0.95/ 0.96

50

0.386 (0.382)

51

0.570 (0.390)

50

0.177 (0.455)

Standards and compliance for PE (6)

Which of the following methods does your state education agency use to improve district or school compliance with physical education standards or guidelines: Submission of written reports by districts or schools? (YES/NO)

0.442-0.951

0.79/ 0.80

51

0.633 (0.324)

51

0.682 (0.293)

51

0.049 (0.328)

Testing requirements for PE (6)

Does your state education agency require or recommend that senior high schools test students’ fitness levels? (Require, Recommend, Neither)

0.637 – 0.997

0.78/ 0.86

51

0.178 (0.222)

51

0.188 (0.209)

51

0.01 (0.237)

Goals and objectives for PE (5)

Do the goals or objectives for senior high school physical education specifically address each of the following student outcomes: Regular participation in physical activity? (YES/NO)

0.789 – 1.16

0.99/ 0.98

51

0.643 (0.474)

51

0.784 (0.398)

51

0.141 (0.54)

Physical activity promotion: faculty and staff (3)

During the past 12 months, has your district provided any funding for or sponsored each of the following services or programs for school faculty and staff: Physical activity and fitness counseling? (YES/NO)

0.627-0.996

NA/ 0.69

50

0.007 (0.047)

50

0.067 (0.213)

49

0.061 (0.222)

State certification for PE teachers (2)

Which of the following types of certification, licensure, or endorsement does your state offer for physical education teachers: physical education for senior high school? (YES/NO)

0.630-1.0

0.64/ 0.57

45

0.467 (0.418)

51

0.471 (0.405)

45

0.011 (0.538)

Requirement when hiring new PE teachers (2)

Has your state adopted a policy stating that newly hired staff who teach physical education at each of the following levels will have undergraduate or graduate training in physical education or a related field: Senior high school? (YES/NO)

0.75 – 1.0

0.64/ 0.60

50

0.870 (0.300)

51

0.882 (0.275)

50

0.02 (0.416)

Teaching and time requirement for PE (2)

Has your state adopted a policy that senior high schools will teach physical education? (YES/NO)

0.827-1.04

0.76/ 0.62

51

0.735 (0.392)

51

0.725 (0.364)

51

−0.01 (0.291)