Adapted Physical Education Program at Cal Poly

Adapted Physical Education at Cal Poly Pomona

Program Information

Adapted Physical Education (Single Subject Credential):
This track allows the student to receive two credentials at the same time. The primary credential will be in physical education with an emphasis in adapted. These two credentials together allow students to teach physical education in California to all students (including those with disabilities) from preschool to high school.

Undergraduate Program - APE and Single Subject PE:

The adapted physical education specialization allows students to meet the requirements for the specialist credential in adapted physical education at the same time that they are fulfilling the requirements for the single subject credential in physical education. The specialist credential in adapted physical education qualifies one to teach physical education to children of all ability levels in all grades (K-12). This program combines course work with practical experience obtained in Cal Poly's Motor Development Clinic (MDC). The MDC not only provides adapted physical education programs for children with a variety of special needs from the surrounding community, but also provides students in this specialization with an excellent opportunity to obtain a wealth of hands-on experience in dealing with children with a wide variety of physical and mental difficulties. Cal Poly's program for preparing adapted physical education teachers is recognized as the leader in the state in both quality of the program and quantity of the graduates.

Undergraduate Program Other Than Physical Education:

Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential is an add-on credential, not a stand-alone. Therefore, the following basic credentials are acceptable by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the APE credential:

*	Single subject in Physical Education
*	Multiple subject
*	Standard secondary with a major or minor in Physical Education
*	Standard elementry with an academic major or a major or minor in Physical Education

Credentialing Process

Public school teaching and credentials in the State of California are regulated and accredited by the Department of Education. All programs for students seeking credentials are approved and monitored by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The preparation of teachers at Cal Poly Pomona is a university-wide function. Faculty members from each credential major department and designated university personnel are appointed to serve on the Teacher Education Selection Committee. Members of this committee advise on program-related issues as well as student selection. They also serve as departmental advisors to credential and degree students for program planning. The university has been approved to offer programs leading to the following credentials and areas of specialization:

1.	Basic Teaching Credentials: Multiple Subjects, Single Subject (Physical Education), Multiple and Single Subject/CLAD Emphasis, Multiple and Single Subject/BCLAD (Spanish) Emphasis.
2.	Specialist Credentials: Agriculture; Special Education-Learning Handicapped, Severely Handicapped; Adapted Physical Education.
3.	Certificates: Educational Multimedia, Computers in Education, Resource Specialist, CLAD.
4.	Designated Subjects Adult Education Teaching Credentials.The basic credential programs emphasize the integration of theory and practice in the study of educational foundations, curriculum, methodology, and the teaching of reading. The specialist credentials and certificates expand these concepts to enable students to function as specialists in schools and other educational settings.

Advisement for credentials

Students should initiate contacts and appointments for appropriate program advisement early in their undergraduate program. Since it is possible to begin the credential program (or to complete a preliminary credential) in the undergraduate years, it is recommended that contact be made with Teacher Education during the sophomore year. Students may petition to apply 13 units of credential course work completed while an undergraduate to graduate requirements.

Weekly TED advisement sessions are held during each academic quarter. Academic advisors are also assigned to individuals seeking a credential upon application to the program. Advice regarding the academic major is available in each appropriate department. State and CSU credential regulations require students to verify subject matter knowledge for the credential sought by successfully completing the appropriate state adopted examination (Praxis/SSAT) or an appropriate approved academic program of study and an assessment of subject matter competence (the single subject specialization in the pedagogy option in the kinesiology major).

Requirements for credentials

The requirements for earning a Single Subject Credential are the following:

1.	A baccalaureate (or higher) degree, in any major other than professional education, from an accredited institution.
2.	Passing scores on the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST);
3.	Satisfactory completion of at least 2 semester or 3 quarter units of work on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States or successfully passing the appropriate U.S. Constitution examination. (Cal Poly Pomona students automatically fulfill this requirement with completion of a B.A. or B.S. degree.);
4.	Satisfactory completion of an approved program of professional preparation, including supervised (student) teaching. This program usually requires four quarters of full-time course work;
5.	Satisfactory completion of 4 quarter units of current reading methodology or successfully passing the PRAXIS, 'Introduction to the Teaching of Reading Examination,' with certification from the discipline area department;
6.	Demonstration of subject matter competence in the initial credential area, achieved through completion of the appropriate program of study within a major (2.75 GPA) approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The requirement may also be met by passing the appropriate sections of the 'Praxis Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers' and 'Single Subject Assessments for Teaching' (SSAT) Examinations. Additionally, all students must successfully complete the subject area department assessment;
7.	A fifth year of college or university postgraduate education. Course work taken in graduate status must be at the upper division or graduate level;
8.	Satisfactory completion of a course requirement in health education (including, but not limited to, emphasis on nutrition, and on the psychological and sociological effects of abuse, alcohol, narcotics, and drugs, and the use of tobacco) and CPR. KIN 441 or KIN 442 fulfills the health education requirement;
9.	Satisfactory completion of training in the needs of, and methods of providing educational opportunities to individuals with exceptional needs. TED 551 or KIN 204 and KIN 206 meets this requirement; and,
10.	Evidence of completion of computer competence. This requirement may be met through GED 500L, 502L, 503L or KIN 375/375A.

Step 1: Requirements for admission to the single subject program:

Attendance at the Teacher Education Advisement Session.

Completion of University and Teacher Education Application.

GPA as required in accordance with Executive Order 547. (GPA for each major varies--refer to current list available in the Teacher Education Admissions Office.)

Letter of Exception if GPA requirement (or any other requirement) is not met.

Completion of TED 405 - Field Experience - Introduction to Contemporary Schooling, TED 406 - Pedagogical Foundations, and TED 432 - Secondary Reading and Literacy. See list below for entire Single Subject Credential Program.

Single Subject Program	Number of Units
PREREQUISITES
TED 405	4
GED 500/L	4
TED 406	4
TED 432	4

FOUNDATIONS
TED 407	4

METHODS
TED 434	4
TED 442	4
TED 446	4

DIRECT TEACHING
TED 551	4
KIN 442	3
TED 441	2
TED 435/436	9
TED 437/438	9

Two (2) recommendations. One must be based on academic performance and one on involvement with youth.

Submission of passing CBEST scores by the application deadline.

Purpose or Statement of Intent for pursuing a teaching credential (to be addressed as an essay).

Measles/Rubella Immunization.

10.

Character and Identification clearance application (fingerprints). Clearance must be received from CTC prior to supervised teaching.

11.

Two sets of official transcripts required from all colleges/universities attended (submitted with the application to the university).

12.

Successful oral interview

Evaluation of the student's qualifications as a credential student, in addition to the above requirements include, but are not limited to the following:

a.	Personal Adjustment: Evidence of satisfactory personal adjustment, habits, interests and attitudes as shown by evaluation instruments, observations, interviews, and faculty ratings.
b.	Physical Fitness: Evidence of good physical health.
c.	Scholarship: Must meet appropriate GPA at the time of admission, and must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in all credential classes attempted; must meet 2.75 GPA requirement in approved subject matter course work. Additionally, to earn a university recommendation for a credential, an earned grade of 'B' or better is required in each block of student teaching as well as maintenance of a 3.0 GPA in all credential course work attempted.
d.	Professional Attitude: Documents evidence of ability and willingness to work with pupils, parents and school personnel through successful experiences in working with children and /or other school-related activities.The university sponsorship of the credential applicant is a voluntary act that is offered only when the student has successfully completed (in the judgment of the university) all the professional preparation requirements. These requirements are subject to change. For up-to-date information, students should consult the Department of Teacher Education.

Step 2: Requirements for admission to supervised (student) teaching:

1.	Application for student teaching: Submitted to the Credential Office as far in advance as two quarters prior to supervised teaching. Application deadlines are posted by the Credential Office, Room 5-223. Students seeking supervision on an Emergency Credential must apply for Student Teaching and Emergency Supervision.
2.	Evidence of subject matter competence: Provided through either passage of the appropriate Praxis/SSAT exam or completion of the appropriate subject matter program and certification from the discipline area department. Passing scores on the Praxis/SSAT must be received by the application deadline for student teaching and/or verification of completion of the subject matter program and department assessment must be received by the end of the quarter prior to student teaching.
3.	Completion of all foundation, methods, and prerequisite courses prior to beginning student teaching. If the applicant is pursuing the CLAD/BCLAD Emphasis, all CLAD and BCLAD emphasis courses must also be completed prior to beginning student teaching.
4.	Verification, prior to Selection Committee meeting date, of GPA of 3.0 in all TED courses and 2.75 minimum GPA in all subject matter courses. A grade lower than a 'C' in any course is not honored.

Step 3: Completion of portfolio and exit interview:

1.	Complete the credential program and the adapted physical education program, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 and receiving a “B” or better in each individual course.
2.	Complete student teaching in both Adapted and General Physical Education.
3.	Complete the Adapted Physical Education competency portfolio.
4.	When compiling the portfolio, it is best to have two: one for general physical education subject matter competency and another for adapted physical education standards of program quality competence. Please note that the contents of each portfolio is different, although there are some similarities, each has different standards to meet for candidate competence. You may include Xerox copies of duplicate information that was included in the general physical education portfolio.
5.	Prior to turning in your adapted physical education portfolio, complete the “Self Report of Perceived Competence” and “Portfolio Documentation” forms. Include these at the front of your portfolio.
6.	The Adapted Physical Education Coordinator will review your portfolio, using the “Portfolio Evaluation” form. Refer to that form for the rubric and the score needed to pass.
7.	Upon passing the portfolio evaluation, set up an hour interview with the Adapted Physical Education Coordinator. This exit interview is 60 minutes in length consisting of student presentation of the portfolio, followed by questions from the coordinator.

Future Direction of Adapted Physical Education

The future of the Adapted Physical Education appears to be quite encouraging. The demand for teachers in the public schools is increasing for several reasons: (1) A relatively large number of teachers who are currently in the field are reaching retirement age, thus creating a demand for additional teachers to fill the vacancies created by these retirements; (2) the current trend in education is to decrease class size, thus creating a need for an increased number of teachers to meet the needs of the same number of students; (3) we are located in an area where the population is continuing to grow, thus creating a need for more teachers to meet the needs of this growing population; and (4) more elementary schools are employing adapted physical education specialists to teach the physical education classes, thus creating an increased demand for physical education teachers with a strength in this area.

Students in the pedagogy option/adapted physical education track may prepare to teach in additional fields (biology, history, etc.) by completing specified course work in these disciplines, thus increasing their employment opportunities. Those with an interest and preparation in specific interscholastic sports may have the opportunity to become involved in the coaching of school athletic teams for additional compensation. There is opportunity for advancement for those who wish to pursue an advanced degree in their discipline or seek an administrative credential.