martial arts in publi schools could it work?

[NightOwl]

There's no way I can see this in American schools, only because it would challenge the "Zero Tolerance Policy".

Teaching students how to defend themselves is definitely a bad idea. If a student is attacked, and they achieve light control in order to potentially save their lives, they get suspended! No matter what! There's no way martial arts should be taught in public schools.

I don't really see this as an issue at all. Case-in-point; Wrestling is already a sport option in most school systems. Other Martial Arts can be taught in a similar premise without any concern.

Exactly. Wrestling, Judo, and Kendo all have long histories of being promoted in the public education system (at one time perhaps boxing as well).

[joesteph]

Exactly. Wrestling, Judo, and Kendo all have long histories of being promoted in the public education system (at one time perhaps boxing as well).

I understand that the PAL - Police Athletic League - was where many young males once went after school and learned boxing. Things have changed over time, but the reference to boxing by Night Owl makes me think of the PAL.

[boyo1991]

only problem i see is getting the teachers to actually get involved... to teach in a public school you need a specific license... that and of course belts... around your.. waste.. lol, me, i prefer to make up my own and train with many ppl and let EVERYONE be the master and we all learn from eachother, not a teacher/sensai.. however if in a classroom setting, if i were the sensai, i would be just as any other student.. exept when just starting out.. the most to do would be leading stretches and teaching the basics.. then they go to work! haha

[sensei8]

only problem i see is getting the teachers to actually get involved... to teach in a public school you need a specific license...

This is true, therefore, the only license that one truly needs is a business license. In that, it's not specific as to the location of the school, but, of the "home office" because, the school would just want to make sure you had the said license. You do not need a Teachers license at all. After that, just pay the hourly rental fee...oh yeah, don't forget to show the school your insurance!

As far as getting the teachers involved, that probably won't happen, and this is for many reasons. Time, liability, etc..... Some schools will pass YOUR flyer out during homeroom, not many, but some. That will depend on the principal, not the administration!

[joesteph]

In the state of New Jersey, you must be a certified teacher to teach in a public school. The certification is also quite specific, so the certificate I hold to teach social studies doesn't mean I'm legally permitted to teach an English or math class.

A martial arts class would definitely fall under physical education, and so there would have to be a certified phys ed teacher to conduct the class during school time. It would be more effectively offered separately from the regular phys ed classes as a phys ed elective, rather than do it for a month, then move on to whatever sport is in season.

However, the teacher is expected to be qualified to teach the particular phys ed class if it is specialized, such as an elective. I do not consider myself qualified to teach economics, even though it's one of the social studies. (Then again, there hasn't been a clamor for the course, so I don't feel badly about it.)

Remember, too, that if the teacher of any course in any department should leave, a certified and qualified person must take that person's place. In the case of karate, a new and certified phys ed teacher can be hired, but is that person qualified to teach a martial art? And if students have taken, say, Tae Kwon Do for the first year of their phys ed martial arts elective and wish to continue, but the new teacher has an Isshinryu background instead, well . . .

In my home town, Bayonne, karate is offered in an after-school (and night) Community Education program, classes offered for the little ones through to the adults. It's non-contact Tae Kwon Do. The person(s) teaching it are considered qualified, but they are not required (and I doubt that they are) to be certified phys ed teachers.

[sensei8]

In the state of New Jersey, you must be a certified teacher to teach in a public school.

Renting the gym, for example, from the school, more specifically and strictly done AFTER school hours, doesn't this eliminate the need for having said Teachers Certification(s)? A person who rents the school space after school hours wouldn't be an employee of the school(s).

In my home town, Bayonne, karate is offered in an after-school (and night) Community Education program, classes offered for the little ones through to the adults. It's non-contact Tae Kwon Do. The person(s) teaching it are considered qualified, but they are not required (and I doubt that they are) to be certified phys ed teachers.

This is along the lines of what I'm trying to refer at. And the way around needing a teachers cert is to RENT the space from the school AFTER normal school hours.

If one wants to teach the martial arts DURING school hours, let's not forget the very high possibility of having to submit for approval of an syllabus/curriculum to the school/school district or both!

[bushido_man96]

Getting it as a sport in a school would be tough. I think it could be done, but you'd have to get enough interest to field the team, and then get other schools to participate.

[sensei8]

There use to be an organization called Young Olympians, they might still be in business. The Young Olympians was based in Orange County California. This organization taught self-defense and cheerleading to just name a few. This organization had/has a HUGE student body and the majority of the venue's are held in public school gyms. Also, this organization's flyers are passed out during school hours by the school staff inside of the class.

They charged $4 per class, one class a week, 1 hour class, 12 week curriculum, and a test at the end of the 12 weeks. This organization taught from white belt to black belt.

The Young Olympians paid for the use of the school's gym. Some venues/schools would have 300-400 kids each night at each school; that's alot in one night! But, they did it over and over and over!

Their "model" is everywhere, and I mean everywhere.

[Groinstrike]

As a teacher, and a martial artist, i say no, the average student does no have the responsibility to use their knowledge appropriatly

[bushido_man96]

As a teacher, and a martial artist, i say no, the average student does no have the responsibility to use their knowledge appropriatly

I think that if the average student can Wrestle in school, then doing other Martial Arts would be no different.