title: A response to the conversations on effective teaching in physical education.
abstract: In this response to articles on effective teaching in physical education that have been published in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, I thank the authors of these articles for the thoughtfulness of their comments and the respondents for their comments on my own article. I elaborate on my position and discuss a number of issues raised by these authors. My central thesis is that meeting the state standards for physical education is not only the best way to advocate for our field, but it is a moral imperative-moral because children and youth deserve a quality physical education and this should not be left to chance, and imperative because, as the authors of the articles on this topic have argued, this is a critical time to be counted as a subject matter. I conclude by thanking the editor in chief for providing the forum to discuss these important issues.
authors.affiliation: a The Ohio State University.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D005178:Faculty; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health
keywords: practice; professional development; teacher education; teaching