THE BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND TEACHING PRACTICES of Nationally Certified Adapted Physical Education (CAPE) Teachers

This study describes the behavior management training and instructional practices of Nationally Certified Adapted Physical Education (CAPE) teachers. Participants who were currently teaching APE and were certified during the past 10 years were selected from the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) database. Eighty-nine APE teachers (67 females; 22 males) responded to the online survey instrument. Although 51% of the participants perceived their behavior management training to be adequate, a sizable percentage (22%) believed their training was inadequate. A major concern was the lack of practical experience at the preservice level related to managing the behavior of students with disabilities. In addition, there was a lack of inservice training in the area of behavior management. The results of this study indicate the need for more structured and ongoing behavior management education and training at both the preservice and inservice levels. Recommendations for enhancing behavior management training, as well as implications for future practice, are discussed.