Adaptive Physical Education - Maryland

Maryland

Addressed

Category

Adaptive Physical Education

State law addresses making PE inclusive, including adapted PE or accommodations when necessary.

This document provides guidance around adapted physical education.

Policy Type

Non-codified

Source

6) Physical Education.

(a) “Physical education” means the development of:
(i) Physical and motor fitness;
(ii) Fundamental motor skills and patterns; and
(iii) Skills in aquatics, dance, and individual and group games and sports, including intramural and lifetimesports.
(b) “Physical education” includes:
(i) Special physical education;
(ii) Adaptive physical education;
(iii) Movement education; and
(iv) Motor development.

Policy Type

Regulation

Source

(a) In general. -- Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the State Board and each county board shall:

(1) Ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to:
(i) Participate in mainstream physical education programs; and
(ii) Try out for and, if selected, participate in mainstream athletic programs;
(2) Ensure the provision of reasonable accommodations necessary to provide students with disabilities equal opportunity to participate, to the fullest extent possible, in mainstream physical education and mainstream athletic programs; and
(3) Ensure that adapted, allied, or unified physical education and athletic programs are available and adequately funded by the county board.

(b) Exception. --An exception to the requirements under subsection (a) of this section may be made when the inclusion of a student:

(1) Presents an objective safety risk to the student or to others, based on an individualized assessment of the student; or
(2) Fundamentally alters the nature of the school's mainstream physical education or mainstream athletic program.

Policy Type

Statute

Source

Maryland Code

(a) A county board shall:

(1) Develop policies and procedures to promote and protect the inclusion of students with disabilities into mainstream physical education and mainstream athletic programs; and
(2) Provide the opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in extracurricular or interscholastic competition, as demonstrated by:
(i) Equivalent opportunities for participation in extracurricular or interscholastic athletic programs; or
(ii) Evidence indicating that the interests and abilities of students with disabilities have been fully and effectively accommodated by the county board's implemented programs.

Policy Type

Statute

Source

Maryland Code