Relating to physical education requirements for students enrolled in grades seven through twelve in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools

_____ the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. This bill relates to physical education requirements for students enrolled in grades through in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. Current law requires physical education to be taught in grades seven and eight in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools. Current law also requires all students enrolled in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools in grades through who are physically able to participate in a minimum of one-eighth unit of physical education activities during each semester they are enrolled in school, subject to certain exceptions related to requests from parents or guardians and participation in other activities. The bill requires all male students enrolled in grades seven and eight in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools who are physically able to participate in physical education activities during each semester they are enrolled in school, which shall include, at a minimum, weightlifting for three school days each week, cardiovascular training for one school day each week, and participation in at least one extracurricular activity during each year the male student is enrolled in school. A student is to be excused from the physical education requirement if the student, or the student’s parent or guardian, submits to the principal a note from a physician indicating that the student is not able to comply with the physical education requirement. The bill imposes the same requirements on male students enrolled in grades through in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools who are physically able. In addition, the bill provides that participation in these physical activities is a condition of graduation for male students, and that male students must participate in a minimum of one-half unit of physical education activities during each semester. _____ seven and eight in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools who are physically able to participate in physical education activities during each semester they are enrolled in school, which shall include participation in at least one extracurricular activity during each year the female student is enrolled in school. The bill allows female students to be excused from the physical education requirement in the same manner as male students. The bill imposes the same requirements on female students enrolled in grades through in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools who are physically able. In addition, the bill provides that participation in these physical activities is a condition of graduation for female students. The bill does not impact provisions related to participation in physical education activities by students enrolled in nonpublic schools.