RESUMO
The methodological underpinnings of studies into early specialization have recently been critiqued. Previous researchers have commented on the variety of, and over-simplified, methods used to capture early specialization. This exploratory study, therefore, suggests a new direction for how early specialization can be conceptualized and measured. We aim to create an index approach whereby early specialization is measured as a continuous variable, in line with commonly used definitions. The continuous variable for degrees of early specialization is calculated from a questionnaire which captures the four key components of early specialization; (1) intensity, (2) year-round training, (3) single sport, and (4) commencing age 12 or younger. The proposed index approach is illustrated in a sample of 290 Swedish aesthetic performers aged 12-20 years (M = 15.88), whose descriptive statistics are used to discuss the suitability and usability of the measure. The proposed index approach functions as a guideline to future researchers. We hope that introducing a new index approach we will encourage further discussion around the measurement of early specialization. Additionally, we hope to pave the way for future research to explore more complex research questions.
RESUMO
Abstract: Many countries around the world have experienced neoliberal turns which strongly affected educational systems. In Sweden, for example, the social democratic Welfare State has taken a radical neoliberal turn since the 1990s. A number of school reforms have been carried out and they are described as the most extensive in a hundred years of public schooling. These changes have also affected the subject of Physical Education and Health (PEH). Growing research interest is one of those changes, and PEH has become one of the most explored areas in Swedish physical culture. This article points to some of the new research, identifying and formulating possible educational challenges facing teachers as we move into the 2020s. Central questions are: What characterizes teaching in PEH? What do students learn in the subject? Is there effective evaluation in Swedish PEH?
Resumo: Muitos países pelo mundo vivenciaram uma virada neoliberal que fortemente afetou seus sistemas educacionais. Na Suécia, por exemplo, o Estado de Bem-Estar social-democrata foi radicalmente transformado desde a década de 1990, tomando uma direção neoliberal. Numerosas reformas educacionais foram realizadas, sendo estas descritas como as mais extensas em 100 anos do ensino público. Essas mudanças também afetaram a disciplina Educação Física e Saúde (PEH). Há um crescente interesse acerca desse tema e a PEH se tornou uma das áreas mais exploradas da cultura de movimento sueca. Os objetivos deste artigo são indicar as pesquisas recentes, bem como identificar e formular possíveis mudanças educacionais que professores enfrentam hoje enquanto caminhamos em direção à década de 2020. As questões centrais são: o que caracteriza o ensino em PEH? O que os estudantes aprendem nessa matéria? Existe eficácia na avaliação da PEH sueca?
Resumen: Muchos países alrededor de mundo han experimentado un cambio neoliberal que ha afectado fuertemente sus sistemas educativos. En Suecia, por ejemplo, el Estado de Bienestar Socialdemócrata se ha transformado radicalmente, desde los años 90, en una dirección neoliberal. Se han llevado a cabo numerosas reformas escolares, descritas como las más extensas en 100 años de educación pública. Estos cambios también afectaron a la Educación Física y Salud (PEH). Hay un creciente interés en este tema y la PEH se ha convertido en una de las áreas más exploradas de la cultura de movimiento sueca. Los propósitos de este artículo son señalar investigaciones recientes, identificar y formular posibles cambios educativos que actualmente enfrentan los maestros, a medida que avanzamos hacia la década de 2020. Las preguntas centrales son: ¿qué caracteriza la enseñanza en PEH? ¿Qué aprenden los estudiantes en esta materia? ¿Hay efectividad en la evaluación de la PEH sueca?