Adapted PE Program (APE)

Adapted Physical Education is provided to students ages preschool to age 22 years old who have needs that cannot be adequately addressed in the regular physical education program. In addition to APE, other service delivery options include APE collaboration and consultation, specially designed physical education, modified physical education, and general physical education. Provision of APE is based on the same process of referral, assessment, and individual program planning that other special education services follow. An assessment and evaluation of motor skills performance is considered by the IEP team in determining how specialized physical education is to be delivered. Federal law guarantees the opportunity for students to participate in physical education regardless of physical, cognitive, or emotional abilities. Finding the least restrictive environment (LRE) for each learner is both a federal mandate and a best practice. The environment is considered to be least restrictive when it matches individual abilities and appropriate services and provides students with as much independence as possible. Generally, students receive services at their own schools during regular school hours. The adaptive physical education specialist coordinates services with the classroom or physical education teacher.