From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE –An earlier report that certain games and activities aren’t permitted in Alabama schools is drawing differing responses from teachers and the state superintendent’s office.
The Tribune reported the games and activities such as tag, Musical Chairs, Kick Ball, and Duck Duck Goose were part of “Alabama Physical Education Instructional Guide” which is published on the Alabama State Department of Education website.
The information was reported to The Trussville Tribune by two physical education teachers.
Leda Gore of Al.com originally reported the story and Trisha Crain, the education reporter from Al.com, has spoken with state superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey since the initial report.
According to Crain’s most recent report, teachers can choose their own games.
“It is completely up to you which games you play. There is no directive about which games you can and cannot play,” Mackey told Crain. “Go back, tell your principals to take care of their own P.E. problems, please.”
But two physical education teachers who spoke with the Tribune on the condition of anonymity said they do follow the guidelines and did not think adhering to the guidelines was optional.
“I’m not that upset about the guide,” one teacher said. “It’s been there for a while. We have plenty of activities for the students. But I am concerned that the state gives us a set guidelines – dos and don’ts – and then the state superintendent says ‘Oh, but you don’t have to follow those.’ I’ve never heard that before and I’ve been teaching for a long, long time”
Related Story: Musical Chairs, Kick Ball, Simon Says, Relay Races, Duck Duck Goose out in Alabama schools
According to Crain, the guide was created in 2009 and last updated in 2015 and is the only instruction guide for P.E. teachers on the ALSDE website.
The fourth page of the guide states, “The guide is an invaluable resource for the novice, experienced, and veteran physical educator regarding the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards-based quality physical education programs and instruction that are vertically aligned to the 2009 Alabama Course of Study: Physical Education. This document addresses inclusion, lesson plans and activities, safety, appropriate and inappropriate practices, and resources as they apply to the physical education classroom. Also included are suggestions for classroom management as well as ideas for establishing school policies and procedures as they relate to the physical education setting.”
“When you read the guide, and I guarantee you most P.E. teachers in Alabama have, it’s clear about what the state considers appropriate and inappropriate activities,” the second P.E. teacher said. “I don’t think any teacher is going to use something that is clearly listed as inappropriate activities by the state department of education.”
Crain reported that the guidelines drew new attention when they were published on Tuesday by the Auburn University-Montgomery Physical Education Program.