C URRICULUM ISSUES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION. Thanasis Dalianas

O VERVIEW Multicultural Education Inclusion

M ULTICULTURAL EDUCATION United States is becoming a more culturally diverse society. Multicultural education is the educational strategy in which students cultural backgrounds are used to develop effective classroom instruction and school environments (Gollnick & Chinn, 1998).

M ULTICULTURAL EDUCATION Multicultural education is defined as an education that values diversity and includes the perspectives of a variety of cultural groups on a regular basis (Santrock, 2001). Multicultural education is based on 2 assumptions.

M ULTICULTURAL EDUCATION A major focus of any multicultural education program, therefore, should be that all people have the right to maintain their cultural, social, or racial identity in the mainstream of a diverse society (Cordova & Love, 1987). Multiculturalism as its best supports the development of identity, solitary, critical thinking and liberatory action. We must use it as a tool to educate ourselves and our children to work to make deep and lasting changes in the basic structures of our society (Ramsay, 1998).

M ULTICULTURAL EDUCATION A curriculum that focuses on the experiences of mainstream Americans and ignores the experiences, cultures, customs and traditions of other different groups has negatives consequences for both mainstream students and students with different backgrounds. A mainstream curriculum plays important role in the appearance of racism, ethnocentrism and nationalism.

M ULTICULTURAL EDUCATION Through multicultural education and multicultural curriculum students are highly motivated to learn because the curriculum reflects their cultures and experiences.

INCLUSION Significant increase of students with disabilities. All students should participate in regular P.E. (NASPE, American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness)

INCLUSION Inclusion deals with placing students that have disabilities into regular classrooms. The idea behind this practice is that all children should be treated equally. The word inclusion terrifies physical educators.

INCLUSION Inclusion offers the opportunity to develop personal excellence, enabling all to learn in a positive environment, creates opportunities for success and helps everyone become confident in personal abilities (Zavacky, 2003).

INCLUSION Inclusion encompasses: Social integration Cultural integration Emotional integration

INCLUSION What is the purpose of inclusion?

INCLUSION The curriculum needs to address the implications of inclusion and provide physical educators with strategies.

Questions?

REFERENCES Cordova, I. R. & Love, R. (1987). Multicultural education: Issues, concerns and commitments. North Central Association Quarterly, 61(3), Gollnick, D. M. & Chinn, P. C. (1998). Multicultural education in a pluralistic society. Columbus, OH: Prentice Hall. Ramsay, P. G. (1998). Teaching and learning in a diverse world: multicultural education for young children. New York: Teachers College. Santrock, J. W. (2001). Educational psychology. Boston: McGraw-Hill. Zavacky, F. (2003). Inclusion. Teaching Elementary Physical Education, 14(3), 36.