SHAPE America and physical literacy: an event horizon?. Issue 2 (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Landi, Dillon; Blackshear, Tara B.; McFadden, Carrie
• Is Part Of: Curriculum studies in health and physical education. Volume 12:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: Physical literacy -- standards -- race -- gender -- social justice; Health -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Physical education and training -- Periodicals; Health; Health education; Physical education and training; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 613.7071
• DOI: 10.1080/25742981.2021.1908835
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2574-2981

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we reflect on SHAPE America's K-12 National Standards and its connection to physical literacy. We argue physical educators in the United States have primarily engaged with the term physical literacy without engaging with the theoretical and pedagogical depth of the concept . Despite this, SHAPE America does explicitly endorse an adapted version of Whitehead's definition of the physical literacy concept . In drawing on feminist intersectional thought, we make an argument that SHAPE America's adoption of physical literacy has produced an era of 'disorientation' in United States physical education. Within this disorientation, much of the advancements made in theory, pedagogy, sociocultural issues, as well as curriculum have been lost. We conclude by calling for a revamping of the standards that are not bound to a single concept, model or theoretical paradigm.