2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Study on the local politics that influence physical education curriculum

Research Project

Project/Area Number	22500541
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Research Field	Physical education
Research Institution	Kyoto University of Education
Principal Investigator	ITANI Keiko 京都教育大学, 教育学部, 教授 (80291433)
Project Period (FY)	2010 – 2012
Keywords	体育科教育 / カリキュラム / ポリティクス
Research Abstract	This study examined the politics of the district school boards and schools that operate when developing and implementing physical education curriculum. The Courses of Study for schools were revised in 2008 when The Fundamental Law of Education was amended. On the one hand, the new Courses of Study brought back a conservative approach to physical education by strengthening “KARADA TSUKURI UNDO” (Stretching and general exercises for physical fitness) putting more emphasis on basics, fundamentals and systematics, and making martial arts and dance courses compulsory. On the other hand, in the schools where this research was conducted, the teachers not only corresponded precisely to the policy, but also demonstrated the flexibility to make the course fit to the situations of the school and the learners.