Brent Kwiatkowski Bethany Paolino EPEC Exemplary Physical Education

Brent Kwiatkowski Bethany Paolino

EPEC Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum l It is a standards-based curriculum that promotes the teaching of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable children to be active for life. l The mission of the EPEC team is to develop, test and disseminate materials and procedures that enable schools to achieve the public-health goal of promoting lifelong physical activity. l Provides step-by-step instruction enabling all students to be successful in the physical education classroom. l Built around NASPE content standards and strong on assessment. l Currently being used by thousands of teachers not only in Michigan, but across the country, to strengthen physical education, and its reputation, in their communities.

EPEC History • In the early 1990 s, Michigan was identified as having one of the highest rates of preventable chronic disease among the 50 states. The governor and the director of public health saw an increase of activity among Michigan citizens was an urgent public health priority. • 1992 the Michigan Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports was founded to improve the health of, and increase physical activity. • 1994 The Michigan Fitness Foundation was created as a public charity nonprofit foundation to expedite Council policies and provide a funding base for Council programs and projects. Funding for the Foundation was provided by the Michigan legislature through the Michigan Department of Community Health. • The Council was charged with establishing a model physical education program. The result is Michigan's Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC) project, a public-health initiative established as a long-term investment in the health of the citizens of Michigan.

EPEC Effectiveness l A two-year study of EPEC by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention completed in 2005 showed that students who were taught with EPEC increased their skills in the two targeted motor skills over students taught using other curricula. In addition, students taught with EPEC showed more knowledge of physical activity and greater motor-skill self-efficacy. l A 1999 study of EPEC found that students whose teachers used EPEC had significantly faster 600 -yard run/walk times. A 2000 study of EPEC showed significant improvement in EPEC-taught students compared to non-EPEC-taught students on knowledge tests of the beneficial effects of activity, and performance tests for arm/shoulder strength. l In 2005, the Michigan Fitness Foundation (developer of EPEC) reported results of a study to the Michigan Nutrition Network as part of a grant-funding agreement. Average score on the overhand throw increased from 2. 1 to 3. 5 (on a four-point scale) among students trained using EPEC methods. In addition, despite high pretest scores on aerobic fitness (indicating that tests may not have been sufficiently challenging), EPEC students improved 7 to 13 percent. l During the 2004 -2005 school year, EPEC Personal Conditioning was implemented in six Detroit middle schools as part of their healthy youth initiative. Over the course of the year, cardio-respiratory endurance scores increased an average of 41 percent among students in the initiative, and health-related fitness knowledge rose 9. 4 percent. l EPEC received the 2002 award for achievement in chronic disease prevention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Directors of Chronic Disease Prevention.

Cost of EPEC l The cost of EPEC is very inexpensive. When compared to 'activity programs', the cost for EPEC is also low. Remember, EPEC is a true curriculum that is aligned with NASPE Standards, includes sound instruction, and provides assessment rubrics based on the objectives of the curriculum. l The Michigan Fitness Foundation is a nonprofit entity with the goal of improving the health of citizens of Michigan and beyond. While the cost for EPEC is low, Michigan schools and teachers still receive additional discounts. Since EPEC is a nonprofit organization, no profits are distributed to stakeholders. All monies received through sales of EPEC are used to fund implementation, development and production costs. This ensures the project will survive the ups and downs of state funding.

EPEC Curriculum l Each EPEC objective includes a teaching/learning progression, in which the objective is divided into small instructional segments, or steps. l The teaching of each of these steps is supported with l l l 1) an instructional segment that follows an instructionally sound method of presenting new information to students 2) two reinforcing activities that have students practice the specific components of the step 3) an assessment rubric for tracking l Student achievement of the step and determining what, if any, remediation is necessary for individuals, classes or grades. l A curriculum matrix is supplied with all EPEC modules that outlines a scope and sequence for instruction of the steps in the teaching/learning progressions within and across grades. l This matrix provides a framework describing what to teach on a daily basis, taking students progressively through mastering the EPEC program objectives. The scope and sequence can easily be modified to support local needs and time resources.

EPEC K-5 Modules l EPEC 4 Module Skills Locomotor l Object-Control 2 l Knowledge, Activity, and Fitness 3 l Personal/Social NASPE Standards 1 4 5 6

K-5 Module Example Teaching Learning Progression Assessment Rubric Instructional Segment Reinforcing Activity

EPEC 6 -12 Modules l The lifetime activities included are: l l l aerobics basketball golf personal conditioning resistance training soccer softball swimming track and field tennis volleyball l All Lifetime Activity Modules include six major components: l l l knowledge/skill teaching graphics illustrating mature skill form drills that provide practice on skill objectives activities that provide practice on skill objectives handouts, assessments (including interest. knowledge, and skill assessments) 45 detailed, sequential lessons.

6 -12 Module Example • Teaching/Learning Progression • Sample Lessons • Sample Assessment • Sample Poster

EPEC After School/Summer Programs Choose Your Move l It is an eight-week program containing 16 lessons. Students participate two times per week in a lesson that is conducted by a staff member in an organized setting. Students are also encouraged to participate three or more days per week on their own, such as at home.

Additional Information l Obesity: EPEC was designed to give students not only the knowledge and skills they need to be active for life, but the feelings of competence and confidence necessary to enjoy physical activities. l Success: teachers are instructed to continue with the next instructional segment when 80 percent of students show competency, EPEC was developed with the goal of all students achieving the objective. l Nutrition: An average of three reinforcing activities per objective include nutritional content. Nutritional content relates to the new food pyramid for kids and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Specific nutritional information is targeted to students in different grades.

Work Cited www. michiganfitness. org