Making a Case for Having a Physical Education Specialist

"A strong K-12 physical education program is usually backed up by a strong leader" (Franck, 2007, p. 7). Strong and persistent leadership is especially important in today's reality of undervalued physical education. Despite the obesity epidemic and the many health problems facing youth, physical education is viewed as a low-status subject in schools. The governmental legislation known as the No Child Left Behind Act places so much emphasis on academics that physical education often gets overlooked because it is not identified as a core subject (James, 2011). As a result of physical education's lack of importance in schools, physical educators face a number of challenges. One way to help physical educators with these challenges is to provide them with a physical education specialist (PES). A PES is a person who is highly trained and certified in the content of K-12 physical education and is responsible for directing quality physical education programs. A PES can help teachers to become and stay highly qualified by assisting them with program planning, lesson plans, and curriculum design. This article describes the role of a physical education specialist and provides suggested steps to hiring a PES.