SPARK Physical Education Curriculum

Evidence-Based Physical Education – SPARK Leads the Way

The term “evidence-based” is used frequently in education and fortunately for all of us, is directly applicable to physical education as well.  Our team at SPARK feels that a program can claim it is evidence-based if there is data demonstrating positive results on students and/or teachers linked to relevant outcomes (i.e., activity levels, fitness, skill development, etc.) and if those outcomes have been published in a peer-reviewed journal.  Additionally, it is important that other content experts/organizations (i.e., CDC, N.I.H., National Cancer Institute, etc.) agree with the findings and support a group’s EB claim.

Click Here for a paper that defines “evidence-based” and speaks to the importance of rigorous research.

Below, you’ll find additional links to websites where SPARK is either directly or indirectly included in the evidence-based conversation.  For a list of SPARK publications Click Here.

• National Cancer Institute: Research-Tested Intervention Programs

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Strategies to Improve Quality Physical Education

• The Alliance for a Healthier Generation: SPARK is first Evidence-Based PE Program letter

• Partnership for Prevention: School Based Physical Education

• National Institutes of Health: We Can! and SPARK

• USA.gov: The Community Guide: What Works to Promote Health

• Center for Disease Control:  School-Based Physical Education: An Action Guide.

• The Effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Physical Activity

• Click Here to view the PECAT Report for the SPARK K-2 PE Curriculum

• Click Here to view the PECAT Report for the SPARK 3-6 PE Curriculum

• Click Here to view the PECAT Report for the SPARK Middle School Curriculum

Watch a video below on how evidence-based physical education can help solve the childhood obesity epidemic: