Relating to the physical education and physical activities requirements that apply to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools

This bill relates to the physical education and physical activities requirements that apply to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools. Current law requires that all students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools who are physically able are required to participate in a minimum of one-eighth unit of physical education activities during each semester they are enrolled in school. Current law provides that a student enrolled in grade may be excused from this requirement by the school principal if the student’s parent or guardian requests that the student be excused from the requirement to take part in certain specified activities. The bill modifies this provision to provide that a student enrolled in grade shall be excused from this requirement by the school principal if the student’s parent or guardian requests that the student be excused from the requirement to take part in the activities, and the bill adds to the list of activities for which a student may be excused show choir, marching band, and color guard. The bill requires that the student’s participation per week in show choir, marching band, or color guard be at least equivalent to the per-week participation required for one-eighth unit of physical education. Current law provides that a student enrolled in grades through may be excused from the requirement related to physical education activities by the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled, in consultation with the student’s counselor, for up to one semester, trimester, or the equivalent, per year if the board of directors or the authorities in charge of the school determine that students from the school may be permitted to be excused from the physical education requirement and if the student’s parent or guardian requests in writing that the student be excused from the physical education requirement. Current law requires that the student seeking to be excused from the physical education requirement must, at some time during the period for which the excuse is sought, be a participant in an organized and supervised athletic program which requires at least as much time of participation per week as one-eighth unit of physical education. The bill modifies this provision to provide that a student enrolled in grades through shall be excused from the requirement related to physical education activities by the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled for up to one semester, trimester, or the equivalent, per year if the student’s parent or guardian requests that the student be excused from the physical education requirement, and the bill adds to the list of activities for which a student may be excused show choir, marching band, and color guard. The bill requires that the student’s participation per week in show choir, marching band, or color guard be at least equivalent to the per-week participation required for one-eighth unit of physical education. The bill exempts from the physical activity requirements that apply to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools in grades through students who are participating in show choir, marching band, or color guard.