A Study of the Status of Physical Education for the Educable Mentally Retarded in North Dakota Schools

This study was conducted during 1969 to determine current practices in the physical education programs for the educable mentally retarded in North Dakota schools. The purpose of the study was to obtain and analyze data concerning the following aspects of physical education: teacher qualification, scheduled class periods, type of instruction provided, activities, facilities, equipment and supplies used, tests or evaluation procedures used, and attitudes toward physical education. Ninety-eight questionnaires were sent to physical education teachers of educable mentally handicapped students. Eighty-two questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Findings of the study warranted a number of conclusions. A high percentage of teachers were not qualified physical educators for mentally handicapped students; class time allotment was not uniform throughout the state; there was ambivalence in grouping; the state curriculum guide was seldom used; there was a need for more facilities, equipment and / supplies; basic physical education activities were used; tests or evaluation procedures were needed; and the attitudes of teachers was favorable toward physical education. At this time many inadequacies existed in the physical education programs for the educable mentally retarded in North Dakota schools. The writer recommends that the responsible citizens of North Dakota take immediate action to ameliorate those inadequacies