Investigating the Impact of Federal Funding on Students' Attitudes Toward Physical Education

• In Event: Student Attitudes and Motivation in Physical Education

Abstract

Attitudes of students toward physical education (PE) in three grant receiving school districts (n=2,964) were compared to students’ attitudes from two non-grant receiving school districts (n=3,252) over three years. Attitudes can impact future physical activity and it was hypothesized that funding might positively influence students attitudes. Changes common to grant receiving schools included curricular enhancements, increased use of technology, and increased professional development. Consistent with previous studies, attitudes became less positive over time. Students from grant receiving schools displayed significantly more positive attitudes than students from non-grant receiving schools in only grades 4 and 5 with a small effect size. It appears that resources from grant funding did not contribute combating decreasing attitudes in meaningful ways.

Authors

• Kevin Mercier, Adelphi University

• Corinne Donovan, Adelphi University

• Anne Gibbone, Adelphi University