Physical Education Teacher Standards In China: An Exploratory Study

With the further development of education reform in all over the world, the quality of teachers has become a focus of attention in many countries, and through building physical education teachers professional standards to guide and promote the physical education teachers professional development become an effective way to improve the quality of teachers. So most of countries are going to develop teachers standards, and then teacher education standardization has become a trend. Based on the international development trend and the requirements of "Constructing and Improving the Teacher Education Standards System" from "Long Time National Education Reform and Development Plan (2010-2020)", this research was to specifically examine the physical education teacher standards and related issues in China, aiming to make contributions to further improve the quality of physical education teachers in China.This doctoral dissertation included ten chapters, employed the mixed methods research design, in order to achieve the integration of qualitative study and quantitative study. This research firstly explored the connotation and extension of physical education teachers professional development, raised the importance of physical education teacher standards to teachers professional development, and stated the core role and status of physical education teacher standards in it, analyzed the historical evolution of physical education teacher standards (or requirements of professional quality) in China, United States, Canada and Ireland. Based on this, used the qualitative research method to analysis the current implementation situation of NASPE initial physical education teacher standards in6universities in United States, at the same time, through case study to analysis the current implementation situation of NBPTS physical education teacher standards in United States. Recruited516physical education teachers in elementary and secondary schools,427university faculties in physical education teacher education programs of universities and colleges, and1022physical education teacher education program undergraduate students (pre-service teachers), to know the related issues regarding physical education teacher standards construction in China. Used the qualitative research method (Grounded Theory) and quantitative research method developed pre-service physical education teacher standards respectively, and then optimized and integrated two kinds of standards and formulated the final pre-service physical education teacher standards. After that, we investigated65physical education teacher education programs’ coordinators and aim to know the opinions and suggestions regards to the pre-service physical education teachers quality evaluation system, and developed the specific performance evaluation certification system. Last, we concluded the weakness and strengths of this research, and raised the development and reform strategies of standard-based physical education teacher education in future.Through these above research works, there are some conclusions as following:1. Physical education teacher standards plays a key role in the process of improving physical education teachers professional development through physical education teacher education. From the multiple perspectives ("logical start and final pursuit","mirror image of others and self reflection","portal perspective and moderate tension") to read the physical education teachers professional development, it is better for people to know the nature of physical education teachers professional development, and understand the importance of physical education teacher standards in it.2. The requirements of physical education teacher standards (professional quality) in different countries continue to evolve with the development of times. Some factors can affect the standards development, included the guidance of general teachers professional standards, participation of nonprofit professional association, the needs of the society, professionals’ advocacy, the influence of educational policies, publication of large education report, promotion of curriculum reformation, et al. However, there were much differences between different countries.3. American faculties had high identity to NASPE initial physical education teacher standards, but already need to revise it. Standards implementation can bring positive and negative effect, time consuming was the biggest obstacle in the implementation process. Compared with comprehensive universities and general colleges, research universities had lower enthusiasm for implementation and the effects of the standards implementation did not got obvious outcomes as expected. The implementation of NBPTS in-service physical education teachers standards was wide, the outside support was so important when teachers participated the certification. Although the overall number of certificated physical education teachers was less, but the positive effect was really obvious, especially can effectively promote the physical education teachers professional development, improve their social status.4. China have been formulated the basis for constructing the physical education teacher standards, following the stage theory of physical education teachers professional development, we should develop the pre-service physical education teacher standards firstly, and advice were given that if we study the standards, government should provide grants, researchers should take special issue research and implementation should be step by step. Pre-service physical education teachers standards should be focus on upgrading the pre-service physical education teachers professional consciousness and the basic ability of teaching in physical education, and should reflect the difference with the teacher qualification certificate.5. Used the qualitative research method (Grounded Theory) and quantitative research method, combined with expert consultation, comparative study and self verification opinions, can successfully develop the best pre-service physical education teachers standards. The standards framework was "dimension, field, standard, specific requirement", composed of3dimensions,8fields,24standards and242specific requirements. Standards will play important key role in physical education teacher education professionals (pre-service teachers) training, provide guidance to new physical education teachers recruitment in elementary and secondary schools, and promote the pre-service physical education teachers professional development.6. In order to promote the application of pre-service physical education teachers standards, we should develop the standards-based pre-service physical education teachers quality evaluation system, and the necessity and feasibility are existed. The evaluation system will focus on examining the overall performance of pre-service physical education teachers, providing feedback information for talent training in universities, and promoting the adjustment of talent training plan. Government should set up a specialized agency to carry out evaluation work strictly. The evaluation system included the rubrics and these materials should be submitted to agency. It will provide effective guidance to practice application and effect evaluation of pre-service physical education teachers standards.However, this research is just a beginning of relevant research on physical education teachers standards, We strongly suggested that pre-service physical education teacher education reform in future can be done in four areas, are physical education teacher education program, pre-service physical education teacher education curriculum, pre-service physical education teacher education teaching practice, and pre-service physical education teacher educators, targeting to fully make the standards play key role in physical education teachers professional development.