Connecticut State Department of Education

Guidelines for Adapted Physical Education


Acronyms and Abbreviations


AAPAR: American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

APE: Adapted Physical Education

CAPE: Certified Adapted Physical Educator

CFR: Code of Federal Regulations. 34 CFR sec/104.3 (j) (1), Title 34 education, Subtitle B Regulations of the Offices of the Department of Education. Chapter I — Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education
Part 104 — nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance (j) handicapped person — (1) handicapped persons means any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.CFR 300.43(a) Defines “transition services” to mean a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that: 

  • Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment); continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation; 
  • Is based on the individual child’s needs, taking into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests; and 
  • Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

CSDE: Connecticut State Department of Education

DAPE: Developmentally Appropriate Physical Education

FAPE: free and appropriate public education

GPE: general physical educator

IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

IEP: individualized education program

IPEP: Individualized Physical Education Plan

ITP: individualized transition plan

LEA: local education agency

LRE: least restrictive environment

MVPA: >50% MVPA  more than 50 percent moderate-to-vigorous physical activity

NASPE: National Association for Sport and Physical Education

NCPERID: National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities

OT: occupational therapy / occupational therapist

PE: physical education

PL: Public Law. PL 94-142, PL 108-446, Public Law 108-446

PPT: Planning and Placement Team

PT: Physical Therapy / Physical Therapist

Section 504: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law. It was developed to protect the community of people with disabilities who, due to an impairment or disabling condition, may not otherwise have been able to access programs and services funded (in part or whole) by the federal government.

USC: United States Code. United States Code, Title 20 section 1414 (a) and (b) Sub-Section 1414. Evaluations, eligibility determinations, individualized education programs, and educational placements: (a) Evaluations, parental consent, and reevaluations (b) Evaluation procedures.