PHE Canada is currently accepting applications for the 2018-2019 QDPE (Quality Daily Physical Education) awards. The program recognizes schools who offer QDPE, and encourages excellence in school physical education programs.
Any Canadian School can apply online before March 13, 2019. Click here for the QDPE application forms.
The award program requires schools to assess their physical education program based on standardized criteria, which includes the amount of daily physical education; lesson plans and assessment strategies; professional development opportunities for teachers; and fun, fair, cooperative programming. Qualifying schools are assigned a star level—from one star to four—and receive the official title “QDPE” or “QPE” school; the opportunity to purchase a banner to hang in their school gymnasium; national publicity; a letter of congratulations from the Prime Minister and the PHE Canada President; and a personalized certificate with their school’s name.
“Every Canadian school's quality daily physical education program should be recognized and celebrated,” said Melanie Davis, PHE Canada’s Executive Director and CEO. “Daily physical education is critical to the growth and development of our children. Putting quality into the equation is the special axillar. It represents inclusion, diverse activities, and equality for all our students. These awards recognize the dedication of school administrators and teachers to help to build confidence, motivation, and concentration in all their students, empowering them to be healthy, active and better learners and citizens for life. All children deserve quality daily physical education.”
Last year, more than 340 schools across Canada received a QDPE Award. This translates to more than 145,000 children benefiting from a quality physical education experience that will build in them the foundation to be active and healthy for life.
Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) champions healthy, active kids by promoting and advancing quality health and physical education opportunities and healthy learning environments. Supporting community champions with quality programs, professional development services, and community activation initiatives, PHE Canada inspires all to live healthy, physically active lives. Learn more at www.phecanada.ca
The program is also an opportunity for schools to examine and reflect on the qualities and characteristics of their physical education program, highlighting successes and encouraging critical reflection for improvement. Any Canadian school can apply.
QDPE award standards
Guiding principles
PHE Canada adheres to the following guiding principles related to Physical Education:
- Physical education is a fundamental right for all students in Canadian schools.
- Teachers must be knowledgeable, critically reflective, and passionate.
- Programs are developed based on sound pedagogical principles and current assessment practices that address individual student needs.
- Planned program activities are balanced, multi-dimensional, and culturally relevant.
By adhering to these guiding principles, a quality/comprehensive physical education program provides a foundation for the development of physical literacy; enabling students to live physically active and healthy lives.
Standards
PHE Canada recommends that such a program require the following as a minimum:
- A minimum of 30 minutes of physical education every day of the school year
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives.
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasis on student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health
- Adherence to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices.
- Opportunities to be physically active beyond scheduled physical education time in order to realize recommended physical activity requirements for students (i.e. intramurals, extracurricular, school wide physical activity initiatives (DPA), etc.)
- Opportunities for student leadership development
- All students are taught by a qualified physical educator (as defined by PHE Canada)
- Achievement of provincial curriculum learning outcomes
Breakdown of the award levels
Requirements for a one-star award
- Achieves provincial learning outcomes
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health and wellness
- Adhere to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices
- Meets or exceeds provincial curriculum recommendations for minimum instructional time in physical education
Requirements for a two-star award
- Achieves provincial curriculum learning outcomes
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health
- Adhere to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices
- Opportunities to be physically active beyond scheduled physical education time in order to realize recommended physical activity requirements for students (i.e. intramurals, extracurricular, school wide physical activity initiatives (DPA), etc.)
- Opportunities for student leadership development
- A minimum of 150 minutes of PE per week, divided among at least 3 days per week - 92.5 hours of PE per school year
Requirements for a three-star award
- Achieves provincial curriculum learning outcomes
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health and wellness
- Adhere to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices
- Opportunities to be physically active beyond scheduled physical education time in order to realize recommended physical activity requirements for students (i.e. intramurals, extracurricular, school wide physical activity initiatives (DPA), etc.)
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health
- Opportunities for student leadership development
- All students are taught by a qualified physical educator (as defined by PHE Canada)
- A minimum of 150 minutes of PE per week, divided among at least 3 days per week - 92.5 hours of PE per school year
Requirements for a four-star award
- Achieves provincial curriculum learning outcomes
- Well-planned lessons incorporating a wide range of activities that address the provincial curriculum learning outcomes/objectives
- A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that enhance student learning
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health and wellness
- Adhere to provincial student safety guidelines
- Appropriate learning activities for the age/stage of development of each student that reflect current research and best practices
- Opportunities to be physically active beyond scheduled physical education time in order to realize recommended physical activity requirements for students (i.e. intramurals, extracurricular, school wide physical activity initiatives (DPA), etc.)
- Emphasize student learning, personal success, fair play, and personal health
- Opportunities for student leadership development
- All students are taught by a qualified physical educator (as defined by PHE Canada)
- Minimum of 30 minutes of physical education every day of the school year
*For schools that offer part-day kindergarten, or less than five full days per week, minute requirements may be condensed in proportion to the reduction in instructional time.