| The main purposes of this study are to: (1) investigate high school students' attitudes toward physical education classes and three specific factors of the learning and teaching situation, namely, curriculum, students (peers), and teacher; (2) document what differences, if any, exist between female and male attitudes toward high school physical education classes; and (3) explore students attitudes toward physical education classes in relation to different education systems (credit and general) in the State of Kuwait.;This study utilized a questionnaire to assess students' attitudes toward their physical education classes. The 480 participants were selected randomly, using cluster-sampling, from four groups. The first group consists of 120 male students, and the second group consisted of 120 female students, bath of whom were studying in general system. The third group consists of 120 mate students, and the fourth group consisted of 120 female students, both of whom were studying in credit system. The researcher selected these groups from the six school districts in the state of Kuwait. In November 2004, the 480 students who represented the six school districts in the State of Kuwait completed the questionnaire.;Descriptive statistic was used to investigate students' attitudes toward physical educatian classes in general and physical education curriculum, peers, and teachers in particular. A one-way ANOVA was used to determine what differences, if any, exist between female and male attitudes towards high school physical education classes and what differences, if any, exist between credit system students and general system students in their attitudes toward physical education classes.;The findings of this study revealed that (1) Kuwaiti senior students have a positive attitudes toward high school physical education classes ( M = 2.76); (2) peers received the highest score (M = 2.80) from students among all other factors [curriculum (M = 2.78) and teachers (M = 2.69)]; (3) There is no statistically significant difference between female and male attitudes toward their physical education classes (F = 2.802 and p < .095); (4) There is statistically significant difference between credit system students and general system students in their attitudes toward physical education classes (F = 7.363 and p < .001.).;Based on the results of this study, researcher recommended more cooperation between teachers, from both gender and school system, to exchange their ideas and experiences in order to motivate students to participate in physical education classes. Applying grade and setting more time for physical education, giving students the choice for selecting the activities they like to participate are factors that researcher suggested to be implemented in physical education classes in general schools system. The researcher believes that more research is needed to extend the breath of findings regarding the differences between general system students and credit system students in their attitudes physical education classes. The researcher recommended the replication of this study on middle school students (Grade Eight). |
