Policy 6142.7 - Physical Education and Activity

Rule 6142.7

Definitions

Physical education is a sequential educational program that teaches students to understand and participate in regular physical activity for developing and maintaining physical fitness throughout their lifetimes, understand and improve their motor skills, enjoy using their skills and knowledge to establish a healthy lifestyle, and understand how their bodies work.

Physical activity is bodily movement that is produced by the contraction of skeletal muscle and that substantially increases energy expenditure, including exercise, sport, dance, and other movement forms.

Moderate physical activity is any activity which generally requires sustained, rhythmic movements and refers to a level of effort a healthy individual might expend while, for example, walking briskly, dancing, swimming, or bicycling on level terrain. A person should feel some exertion but should be able to carry on a conversation comfortably during the activity.

Vigorous physical activity is any activity which generally requires sustained, rhythmic movements and refers to a level of effort a healthy individual might expend while, for example, jogging, participating in high-impact aerobic dancing, swimming continuous laps, or bicycling uphill. Vigorous physical activity may be intense enough to result in a significant increase in heart and respiration rate.

Instructional Time

Instruction in physical education shall be provided for a total period of time of not less than 200 minutes each 10 school days for students in grades 1-6 and not less than 400 minutes each 10 school days for students in grades 7-12.

Students in grades 10-12 who have been granted a two-year exemption pursuant to Education Code 51241(b) shall be offered a variety of elective physical education courses of not less than 400 minutes each 10 school days.

Students in grades 10-12 who have been granted a two-year or permanent exemption from physical education pursuant to Education Code 51241(b)(1) or (c) shall not be permitted to attend fewer total hours of courses and classes than they would have attended if enrolled in a physical education course.

Students in a regional occupational program or center who are exempted from physical education pursuant to Education Code 52316 shall have a minimum school day of 180 minutes.

Physical Fitness Testing

During the annual assessment window between the months of February through May, students in grades 5, 7, and 9 shall be administered the physical fitness test designated by the State Board of Education.

The Superintendent or designee may provide a make-up date for students who are unable to take the test based on absence or temporary physical restriction or limitations, such as students recovering from illness or injury.

Students shall be provided with their individual results after completing the physical performance testing. The test results may be provided in writing or orally as the student completes the testing and shall be included in his/her cumulative record.

The Superintendent or designee shall report the aggregate results of the physical fitness testing in the annual school accountability report card required by Education Code 33126 and 35256.

Testing Variations

All students may be administered the state's physical fitness test with the following test variations:

1. Extra time within a testing day
2. Test directions that are simplified or clarified

All students may have the following test variations if they are regularly used in the classroom:

1. Audio amplification equipment
2. Separate testing for individual students provided that they are directly supervised by the test examiner
3. Manually Coded English or American Sign Language to present directions for test administration

Students with a physical disability and students who are physically unable to take all of the test shall undergo as much of the test as their physical condition will permit.

Students with disabilities may be provided the following accommodations if specified in their individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan:

1. Administration of the test at the most beneficial time of day to the student after consultation with the test contractor
2. Administration of the test by a test examiner to the student at home or in the hospital
3. Any other accommodation specified in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan for the physical fitness test

Identified English learners may be allowed the following additional test variations if regularly used in the classroom:

1. Separate testing with other English learners, provided that they are directly supervised by the test examiner
2. Test directions translated into their primary language, and the opportunity to ask clarifying questions about the test directions in their primary language