A comparative study of physical education curriculum in Iranian high schools with selected countries (USA, Germany, Australia, Japan)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the physical education curriculum of Iranian high schools with some selected countries. The study adopted comparative research design, one of the qualitative methods. The countries of comparison were Japan, USA, Germany and Australia, which were selected via purposive sampling method. The data were collected from libraries, dissertations, databases, educational sites, books and publications. In the data analysis process, upon describing, interpreting and classifying the information, the curricula were compared and contrasted. The results showed that the most important goals of physical education course included promoting health, growth and development of motor skills, creating an active lifestyle. The most important contents of the physical education course were individual and social skills training, knowledge topics and sports training. Also, physical fitness tests, sports skills tests, written and oral tests and research projects were the most common evaluation methods. The sports equipment of the selected countries was standard and differed from that of Iran in terms of the number and the quality.