Attitudes, Ability Grouping and Physical Education: a Mixed-methods Investigation

Adolescent engagement and participation in physical education lessons and the reported deleterious effects of inactivity on the health of an individual provide challenges for secondary physical education teachers. Thus, effective methods to sustain student commitment are beneficial to physical educators. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of grouping by perceived ability on the attitude of Year 10 students toward physical education. The study conditions were in place for six weeks and involved students in Year 10 from one non-government school in Ontario, Canada. Interesting outcomes emerged from the study, however, further exploration into this area is required before the effects of grouping by ability on the attitude of students in physical education can be fully understood.