Elective Physical Education in the United States—Why Do Students Enroll?

Purpose : The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that influence U.S. high school students’ enrollment in elective physical education courses and identify the benefits they perceive from this experience. Method : Semistructured individual and focus group interviews with six teachers and 26 students were analyzed using a thematic coding process. Trustworthiness was increased by using multiple coders, negative case checks, and data triangulation. Results : Three themes are used to present the results: (1) Motives identify reasons students chose to enroll in the courses, (2) Knowledge examines the knowledge students share about the content covered in the elective courses, and (3) Ownership focuses on how students express their experience in terms of freedom and sense of responsibility. Discussion/Conclusion : When students are provided with options to be active and given opportunities for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, they are willing participants in physical education.