The Governing Board recognizes the positive benefits of physical activity on student health and academic achievement. The district shall provide all students the opportunity to be physically active on a regular basis through high-quality physical education instruction and may provide additional opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day. The district's physical education and activity programs shall support the district's coordinated student wellness program and encourage students' lifelong fitness.
(cf. 5030 - Student Wellness)
(cf. 6142.8 - Comprehensive Health Education)
The district's physical education program shall provide a developmentally appropriate sequence of instruction aligned with the state's model content standards and curriculum framework.
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
For grades 9-12, the overall course of study shall include the effects of physical activity upon dynamic health, the mechanics of body movement, aquatics, gymnastics and tumbling, individual and dual sports, rhythms and dance, team sports, and combatives. (Education Code 33352; 5 CCR 10060)
The Board shall approve the courses in grades 9-12 for which physical education credit may be granted.
(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6146.11 - Alternative Credits Toward Graduation)
The district's physical education program shall engage students in moderate to vigorous physical activity, as defined in the accompanying administrative regulation, for at least 50 percent of class or session time. The Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies to monitor the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity that takes place in the physical education instructional program.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the district's program provides students with equal opportunities for instruction and participation regardless of gender in accordance with law.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
Students with disabilities shall be provided instruction in physical education in accordance with their individualized education program or Section 504 accommodation plan.
(cf. 6159 - Individualized Education Program)
(cf. 6164.6 - Identification and Education Under Section 504)
During air pollution episodes, extreme weather, or other inclement conditions, physical education staff shall make appropriate adjustments to the program or shall seek alternative indoor space to enable students to participate in active physical education.
(cf. 3514 - Environmental Safety)
(cf. 5141.7 - Sun Safety)
The Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies to supplement physical education instruction with additional opportunities for students to be physically active before, during, and after the school day.
(cf. 1330.1 - Joint Use Agreements)
(cf. 5142.2 - Safe Routes to School Program)
(cf. 5148 - Child Care and Development Program)
(cf. 5148.2 - Before/After School Programs)
(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
Staffing
Physical education instruction shall be delivered by appropriately credentialed teachers who may be assisted by instructional aides, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers.
(cf. 1240 - Volunteer Assistance)
(cf. 4112.2 - Certification)
(cf. 4112.21 - Interns)
(cf. 4113 - Assignment)
(cf. 4222 - Teacher Aides/Paraprofessionals)
The district shall provide physical education teachers with continuing professional development, including classroom management and instructional strategies designed to keep students engaged and active and to enhance the quality of physical education instruction and assessment.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
Physical Fitness Testing
The Superintendent or designee shall annually administer the physical fitness test designated by the State Board of Education (FITNESSGRAM) to students in grades 5, 7, and 9. (Education Code 60800; 5 CCR 1041)
Temporary Exemptions
The Superintendent or designee may grant a student a temporary exemption from physical education under either of the following conditions: (Education Code 51241)
1. The student is ill or injured and a modified program to meet his/her needs cannot be provided.
2. The student is enrolled for one-half time or less.
Permanent Exemptions
The Superintendent or designee may grant a student a permanent exemption from physical education under any of the following conditions: (Education Code 51241)
1. The student is age 16 years or older and has been enrolled in grade 10 for one or more academic years. However, such a student shall not be permitted to attend fewer total hours of courses and classes than he/she would have attended if enrolled in a physical education course.
2. The student is enrolled as a postgraduate student.
3. The student is enrolled in a juvenile home, ranch, camp, or forestry camp school with scheduled recreation and exercise.
Program Evaluation
The Superintendent or designee shall annually report to the Board each school's FITNESSGRAM results for each applicable grade level. He/she shall also report to the Board regarding the number of instructional minutes offered in physical education for each grade level, the number of two-year and permanent exemptions granted pursuant to Education Code 51241, and any other data agreed upon by the Board and the Superintendent or designee to evaluate program quality and the effectiveness of the district's program in meeting goals for physical activity.
(cf. 0500 - Accountability)
(cf. 6190 - Evaluation of the Instructional Program)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
33126 School accountability report card
33350-33354 CDE responsibilities re: physical education
35256 School accountability report card
44250-44277 Credential types
49066 Grades; physical education class
51210 Course of study, grades 1-6
51220 Course of study, grades 7-12
51222 Physical education
51223 Physical education, elementary schools
51241 Temporary, two-year or permanent exemption from physical education
51242 Exemption from physical education for athletic program participants
52316 Excuse from attending physical education classes
60800 Physical performance test
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
1040-1048 Physical performance test
3051.5 Adapted physical education for individuals with exceptional needs
4600-4687 Uniform complaint procedures
10060 Criteria for high school physical education programs
80020 Additional assignment authorizations for specific credentials
80037 Designated subjects teaching credential; special teaching authorization in physical education
80046.1 Added authorization to teach adapted physical education
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29
794 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42
1758b Local wellness policy
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
53 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 230 (1970)
COURT DECISIONS
Doe v. Albany Unified School District (2010) 190 Cal.App.4th 668
Cal200 et al. v. San Francisco Unified School District et al. (2013), San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CGC-13-534975
Cal200 et al. v. Oakland Unified School District et al. (San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CPF-14-513959
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Districts at Risk from Lawsuits Regarding PE Instructional Minute Requirement, Legal Alert, May 2015
Monitoring for Success: A Guide for Assessing and Strengthening Student Wellness Policies, 2012
Student Wellness: A Healthy Food and Physical Activity Policy Resource Guide, rev. 2012
Active Bodies, Active Minds: Physical Activity and Academic Achievement, Fact Sheet, February 2010
Maximizing Opportunities for Physical Activity Through Joint Use of Facilities, Policy Brief, rev. February 2010
Maximizing Opportunities for Physical Activity During the School Day, Fact Sheet, November 2009
Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Physical Education to Improve Health and Academic Outcomes, Fact Sheet, November 2009
CSBA PUBLICATIONS (continued)
Physical Education and California Schools, Policy Brief, rev. October 2007
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade 12, 2009
Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade 12, January 2005
Adapted Physical Education Guidelines for California Schools, 2003
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PUBLICATIONS
School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment and Planning Guide 2014
COMMISSION ON TEACHER CREDENTIALING PUBLICATIONS
The Administrator's Assignment Manual, 2007
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PUBLICATIONS
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, October 2008
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education, Physical Fitness Testing: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf
California Healthy Kids Resource Center: http://www.californiahealthykids.org
California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition): http://www.californiaprojectlean.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov
Commission on Teacher Credentialing: http://www.ctc.ca.gov
Educational Data System, California physical fitness: http://www.eddata.com/projects/current/cpf
Healthy People 2010: http://www.healthypeople.gov
National Association for Sport and Physical Education: http://www.aahperd.org/naspe
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: http://www.fitness.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.health.gov
Policy SANTA CLARA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: April 24, 2014 Santa Clara, California
revised: January 26, 2017