The experiences and understandings of the K-13 curriculum implementation of Indonesian teachers of Adapted Physical Education (APE)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to illuminate the experiences and understandings of adaptive physical education (APE) teachers in their implementation of the newly introduced K-13 curriculum in special needs schools (SLB) in Indonesia. This research is a replication of previous research (Sigid XXABSTRACT Setiawan, 2018) conducted with primary school physical education (PE) teachers. Twenty-six APE teachers aged 28-39 years (X = 34.04, SD = 3.46) who worked with various disabilities in SLB were involved as participants. Data collected were observations, interviews, and documentation working within a phenomenological framework. Results indicated that teachers’ experiences of the K-13 implementation were focused on (1) the acquisition of basic knowledge and competence, (2) the adoption of the scientific approach, (3) the use of authentic assessment, and (4) awareness of the supporting and inhibiting factors. The understandings arising from these experiences were that: (1) the required knowledge of APE SLB teachers could be found within the supporting government publications; (2) the scientific approach placed systematic student problem solving at its core, and; (3) authentic assessment involves a comprehensive focus on the learning and development of skills, attitudes and knowledge. A comparison of these findings with those of the primary teacher study showed that some of the additional understandings revealed by the Adapted PE teachers reflected some of the specific demands and challenges facing teachers in the context of special needs education. This research should serve as a reference for novice teachers in emphasizing that good K-13 curriculum learning at all levels must involve preparation for its implementation and its assessment. Recommendations for the value of ongoing research of this nature with a broader cohort of teachers are made.