Qualifications of an Adapted Physical Education Teacher The Adapted Physical Education (APE) teacher is an educationally trained professional who is able to assess individual students and develop, adapt and implement specialized physical education programs in the motor domain. The APE teacher is a direct service provider, not a related service provider, because special education is a federally mandated component of special education services. (U.S.C.A. 1402[25]). This means that physical education needs to be provided to the student with a disability as part of the child's special education. This is contrasted with physical therapy and occupational therapy, which are related services. If specially designed instruction, such as adapted physical education (APE), is required in a student's Individual Education Program (IEP), then the services must be provided by a qualified teacher. A certified physical educator is legally qualified to provide adapted physical education for students who require specialized physical education as defined in the IEP. Adapted Physical Education certification is not required in Colorado. However, it is suggested that the teacher providing APE services become Nationally Certified through the National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities, earning a CAPE (Certified Adapted Physical Education) certification. Course work in APE is strongly recommended and additional education and/or experience in special education would be beneficial.

(b) High-quality physical education programs taught by persons who are licensed and endorsed in physical education may be a factor in battling the rising incidence of obesity by ensuring not only that children receive a healthy level of physical activity but that they also learn skills and develop knowledge that will enable them to maintain a healthy level of activity throughout their lifetimes.

(5.5) On or before October 1, 2008, each school district board of education is encouraged to expand its local wellness policy adopted pursuant to subsection (5) of this section to include goals for:

• (a) Increasing the availability of courses in physical education, including but not limited to, for a school district that enrolls more than one thousand five hundred students, establishing the goal of ensuring that all physical education classes offered by the school district are taught by persons who are licensed and endorsed pursuant to article 60.5 of this title to teach physical education.