SHAPE America and physical literacy: an event horizon?

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we reflect on SHAPE America’s K-12 National Standards and its connection to physical literacy. We argue physical educators in the United States have primarily engaged with the term physical literacy without engaging with the theoretical and pedagogical depth of the concept. Despite this, SHAPE America does explicitly endorse an adapted version of Whitehead’s definition of the physical literacy concept. In drawing on feminist intersectional thought, we make an argument that SHAPE America’s adoption of physical literacy has produced an era of ‘disorientation’ in United States physical education. Within this disorientation, much of the advancements made in theory, pedagogy, sociocultural issues, as well as curriculum have been lost. We conclude by calling for a revamping of the standards that are not bound to a single concept, model or theoretical paradigm.

KEYWORDS:

• Physical literacy
• standards
• race
• gender
• social justice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dillon Landi

Dillon Landi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Towson University (Maryland, USA). Prior to Towson, he received his PhD in Education from the University of Auckland (New Zealand) and served as a member of the teaching faculty. Dillon's scholarship draws on a range of social theories and qualitative methods to examine social justice at the intersection of health, wellbeing, and education.

Tara B. Blackshear

Tara B. Blackshear is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology in Physical Education Teacher Education in the Department of Kinesiology at Towson University. As an equity scholar, Dr. Blackshear draws on critical race and feminist theories to examine the social, cultural, and structural determinants of health, physical activity, and education. Her goal is to cultivate understanding and change to achieve equity for all.

Carrie McFadden

Carrie McFadden is an Assistant Professor of Health Education and Promotion in the Department of Health Sciences at Towson University. As an exercise physiologist, Dr. McFadden works to promote education and awareness of the importance of exercise and physical activity in college student daily life. Her goal is to cultivate an environment that promotes the importance of movement and activity for health in everyday life.