TAMALPAIS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Larkspur, CA

Course of Study 

INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE

I. INTRODUCTION

	Individual Excellence has been developed to meet the extensive needs of today’s students as they prepare for the 21st century. It is a specialized, scientifically-based elective course in Physical Education which focuses on students exploring and developing personalized physical fitness, health, and  wellness programs.  The course provides one option within the Physical Education program which is entirely driven by individual student interests. It fosters students’ individual responsibility by requiring students to design, implement, and evaluate a personal program. This course would be appropriate for an athlete who wishes to maintain a year-round training program for a particular sport or activity, a student who has a particular fitness or health goal s/he wishes to achieve, and for students who could participate in a specialized program adapted to their physical or medical condition. It is open to all students but it is recommended that students complete two semesters of Core P.E. 1-4 before enrolling in Individual Excellence.   

	This course contributes directly to student attainment of Student Learning Outcome # 14: Demonstrate knowledge, skills and self-discipline necessary to achieve and maintain good health. It will also support Outcome #3, Using Technology. Students will also have the opportunity to earn a Speaking Certificate for Outcome #1. 

	Individual Excellence draws upon the foundation skills developed in the core program, including the use of the sportfolio to document individual progress. It also provides a real application for principles learned in science, especially physiology, and data collection, analysis, and reporting as  learned in mathematics and Integrated Science.

	The primary goals of this course are to 1) develop the skills, attitudes, and habits necessary to maintain a personal fitness plan for life; 2) provide a structured way to support individual students who wish to improve their fitness and/or specific motor skills; and 3) apply sports psychology, sports medicine, and biomechanical/ physiological principles related to exercise and training. 

II. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

	Students in this course will:

1. Design a personal fitness program that will lead to an optimal level of the health-related components of fitness.   Students will demonstrate an understanding of training principles, skill level, current scientific-based information, and apply sports psychology, biomechanical, and physiological principles related to exercise and training. 

2. Use technology to access information, monitor performance, and maximize motivation.

3. Write and implement a personal fitness program within both real life and simulated situations. 

4. Make an oral presentation including findings, results, and evaluation of the personal plan.

	Student Assessment

	Students will be assessed based upon their a) Personal fitness log or performance log which will include their personal plan, performance documentation (data), improvement, and inclusion of the essential principles outlined in Learning Outcome #1 above, b) performance during class, and c) improvement resulting from personal plan. Assessment will be based upon a rubric given to the students at the beginning of the semester.

	Course Assessment

	This course will be evaluated by collecting data on the percentage of students who enroll, develop a plan, implement the plan, and meet individual improvement targets as specified in their plan. Informal student and teacher feedback will also be used. 

III. METHODS AND MATERIALS

	Students will keep a personal fitness or performance log which includes all data collected about their individual program performance and progress. Preparation of the personal fitness or performance log will require research (including, but not limited to on-line using the internet, CD-Rom references, and library resources) 

	Instructional materials will be selected by the teacher and may include: textbooks, scientific-based sources (print/on-line), audio-visual materials, and a variety of fitness resources.

	Community members (such as professional athletes and other sports professionals) will be used as guest speakers, resource providers, and mentors, as appropriate.
    
	Specific technologies will include computer-based programs, body composition measuring units, heart rate monitors, and video tape analysis.

IV. GENERAL INFORMATION

	This is a five-unit elective course in Physical Education.  It may be taken multiple times  for credit. However, only a maximum of 15 units (three semesters) may be counted towards graduation requirements. Schools may choose to offer this course in a variable credit format (see Administrative Regulation AR 5121.e).  Credit for this course cannot be earned through participation in extra-curricular athletic activities; it must be scheduled as a regular part of the academic day’s schedule.
 
	Prerequisites

	It is recommended that students complete two semesters (10 units) of the core program in Physical Education before enrolling. This course is open to students in all grade levels. All ability levels are welcome.

	Requirements Met

	This course may be taken for a maximum of 15 units of elective credit towards graduation.   It does not meet any University of California “a-g” requirements. 

Approved: 2/24/98
Revised: 10/22/02