Teachers’ Perceptions on Sustainability-Oriented Physical Education: A Comparative Study of Korea and the United States

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session Two
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT064 (Thursday)

Abstract

This study explores Korean and U.S. physical education (PE) teachers’ perceptions of Sustainability-Oriented Physical Education (SOPE) within Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Using qualitative content analysis, data from 100 Korean teachers were collected, and U.S. data will follow after IRB approval. Korean findings indicate teachers recognize ESD as socially important yet marginal in practice, emphasizing social SDGs such as health and education over environmental or economic goals. Anticipated U.S. findings may reflect decentralized education systems and varied priorities across states. Overall, both groups are expected to view ESD primarily as a social mandate, highlighting the need for contextual strategies to advance SOPE in school PE.

Authors

• Jongho Lee, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Euichang Choi, Seoul National University

• Kevin Andrew Richards, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign