Every teacher can REACH every student.
Books, assessment tools and training for adapted PE specialists, general PE teachers and IEP teams. Built by Tara McCarthy from 27 years of teaching adapted PE.
Five things to check before every lesson
REACH is a hub-and-spoke model. The student is the hub. Each spoke is something that can open or close the door to taking part in PE.
- RReadiness
Is the student physically, sensorily and emotionally ready to move right now?
- EEngagement
Are they taking part in a way that means something, not just standing in line?
- AAbility
What can they do today, and what's the next step from there?
- CCommunication
AAC, signs, gestures and behavior. Every student is already communicating.
- HHealth & Safety
Seizures, medical equipment, elopement and fatigue. The piece Universal Design for Learning leaves out.
Where to start
New to teaching students with disabilities
Read Book 1
A practical field guide for general PE teachers and new APE specialists, from your first day to the IEP table.
The Adapted PE LibraryAssessing students or writing IEP goals
Use the REACH tools
Screeners, observation protocols and lesson plans that run in your browser. Student data never leaves your computer.
Browse the toolsLeading a team or a district
Bring Tara in
Workshops, para training and consulting for PE staff, special education teams and administrators.
Training and ratesFree this week
Tools you can use on Monday. Click one and your email app will open with the request ready to send to Tara.
- Fitness Unit Call SheetA whole fitness unit on two laminate-ready pages.
- Get To Know You WorksheetLearn about a new student before their first class.
- K–2 Screening ChecklistA quick look at early motor skills.
- REACH Framework OverviewThe five spokes on one page, for you or your team.
- PE IEP At A GlanceThe PE parts of an IEP, all on one page.
The Practice Zone poster
A print-and-laminate poster for the calm corner of your gym. Students can go there on their own or on your signal to reset or get a rep in. It's an invitation, not a time-out.
Two versions, written for each age group.
Write an IEP goal in a minute
A free sample of the REACH IEP Goal Generator. Pick a student profile and get a goal aligned to SHAPE America's 2024 standards. No account needed.
Your goal will appear here.
Hi, I'm Tara
I've taught adapted PE for 27 years: in gyms, at IEP tables and in para training rooms. I lead the APE department at CASE in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and teach future APE specialists at Northern Illinois University.
Everything here comes from one belief: every student is already communicating. Our job is to learn their language before we try to teach them ours.
- Adapted PE Teacher of the Year, 2019SHAPE America Midwest District and IAHPERD
- Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE)National registry through NCPEID and APENS