Daily Physical Education Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade in all Public Schools

Physical Education Requirements:

A. Every pupil in a Kindergarten program through grade twelve, including pupils with disabling conditions and those in alternative education programs, shall participate in daily physical education for the entire school year. Pupils in elementary schools shall participate in physical education for at least one hundred fifty minutes during each school week, and students in middle schools and high schools shall participate for at least two hundred fifty minutes per week.

B. Schools shall establish specific learning goals and objectives for physical education. A sequential, developmentally appropriate curriculum shall be designed, implemented and evaluated to help pupils develop the knowledge, motor skills, self-management skills, attitudes and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physical activity throughout the pupils' lives. The physical activity program prescribed in this section shall:

1. Emphasize knowledge and skills for a lifetime of regular physical activity.

2. Be consistent with National Standards that are appropriate to the pupil's age, development and skills.

3. Devote at least fifty percent of class time to actual physical activity each week, with as much time as possible spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity.

4. Provide multiple and diverse physical activity choices.

5. Feature cooperative activities and competitive games.

6. Meet the needs of all pupils.

7. Take into account gender and cultural differences.

8. Teach self-management skills and movement skills.

9. Actively teach cooperation, fair play and responsible participation in physical activity.

10. Include ratios of teachers to pupils that are comparable to those in other curricular areas.

11. Promote participation in physical activity outside of school.

12. Be an enjoyable experience for pupils.

C. Suitably adapted physical education shall be included as part of Individual Education Programs or other written plans for pupils with chronic health problems or other disabling conditions or other special needs that preclude certain pupils from participation in regular physical education instruction or activities.

D. All pupils shall be regularly assessed for attainment of physical education learning objectives. Health-related fitness testing shall be integrated into the curriculum as an instructional tool. The tests shall be appropriate to the developmental levels and physical abilities of pupils and shall be used to teach pupils how to assess their fitness levels, set goals for improvement and monitor progress in reaching fitness goals.

E. Exemptions from physical education courses shall not be permitted on the basis of participation on an athletic team; a community recreation program; participation in The Reserve Officer Training Corps; the marching band or other school or community activities. A pupil may be excused from physical education courses if a physician states in writing that physical activity will jeopardize the pupil's health and well-being or if a parent or guardian requests an exemption on religious grounds.

F. All physical education shall be provided by highly qualified and adequately prepared licensed physical education teachers. A physical education teacher is deemed highly qualified if they hold a current and valid physical education teaching license and have successfully passed a national certification examination such as PRAXIS II, and regularly participate in professional development activities to effectively deliver the physical education program.