Physical education programs: Perceptions within the Texas Youth Commission

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of superintendents, principals, and physical educators, recreation directors, and physical training directors concerning the administration and delivery of physical education programs within 10 male secured Texas Youth Commission facilities through verbal descriptions and photography ethnography images. Data were analyzed to provide an answer to this broad research question: What are the Texas Youth Commission personnel perceptions concerning physical education programs for male juvenile offenders? Interviews occurred on the secure grounds of each facility. The interview guide consisted of seven semi-structured open-ended questions and probes. A program portrayal description through qualitative research methodology was followed for this study.

Analyses of data (Miles & Huberman, 1994; Strauss & Corbin, 1990) resulted in the emergence of 10 themes: physical education/program definitions, juvenile agency/correctional philosophy, military/physical training, motivation for physical education, support system/governing agency, barriers/labels, sport/importance of sport, advice, perceived/actual needs, and future trends. Analyses were completed through the development of grounded theory.