An examination of current adapted physical activity provision in primary and special schools in Ireland

Abstract

The Disability in Sport Taskforce report examining adapted physical activity (APA) in the Irish context (Department of Education and Science, 1999) found that teachers involved in primary mainstream and specialist settings expressed a grave lack of self-confidence, due to lack of training, in the delivery of APA programmes to children with special educational needs (SEN). A further study by Meegan and MacPhail (2006) indicated the need to promote positive attitudes among Irish physical educators toward teaching students with SEN as well as improving initial teacher training and postgraduate training for SEN in physical education (PE). The aim of this study was to examine the current status of APA in primary and special school settings in Ireland, by postal questionnaire. The overall response rate was 42% (n = 171). Key findings indicated that respondents (100%) wished to participate in further specific training in APA leading to a formal qualification. Respondents expressed dissatisfaction with initial teacher training (60%), minimal ongoing in-service provision (70%) and limited teaching resources (68%) for the provision of quality APA to children with SEN.