Standards-Based Physical Education Curriculum Development, Second Edition is developed around the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) standards for K-12 physical education. This innovative guide teaches students about the process of writing curriculum in physical education and was written by experts who have had specific experience designing and implementing this thematic curriculum. The text begins by looking at the national physical education standards and then examines physical education from a conceptual standpoint, addressing the "so what" of physical education. It then goes on to examine the development of performance-based assessments designed to measure the extent of student learning.

The second part of the text explores the various curricular models common to physical education: sport education, adventure education, outdoor education, traditional/multi activity, fitness, and movement education. It goes on to describe each model, provide examples of curriculums that use it, show how the model links with physical education standards, and provide appropriate assessments for it.

The third part, Chapter 14: It's Not Business As Usual, discusses how to improve one's physical education curriculum by doing things differently and embracing change.