p) Physical Education

Appropriate activity related to physical education shall be required as provided for by Section 27-6 of the School Code. The time schedule shall compare favorably with other courses in the curriculum. Safety education as it relates to the physical education program should be incorporated. See Section 1.425 for additional requirements that apply to the provision of physical education instruction.

b) Participation in a physical education course shall be required of all students a minimum of three days per five day instructional week except when an appropriate medical excuse is submitted (see Section 1.425(d)). A school board may also choose to allow for student exemptions as permitted by Section 27-6 of the School Code (see Section 1.425(e)). If a student nonattendance day is scheduled for a day that would otherwise include physical education or the school building is not open to students, physical education for that day does not need to be made up (e.g., if physical education is regularly scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but a teacher inservice is scheduled on a given Monday, physical education for that Monday does not have to be moved to Tuesday or Thursday.) However, school districts shall make every effort to ensure all students have the ability to participate in physical education at least three days per week even when school is in session fewer than five days in a given week.

A district shall provide the following coordinated and supervised courses of study. The time allotment, unless specified by the School Code or applicable rules, is the option of the local board of education.

• 1) Language Arts, Reading and other Communication Skills
• 2) Science
• 3) Mathematics
• 4) Social Studies
• 5) Music
• 6) Art
• 7) Health Education (see the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act)
• 8) Physical Education (see Section 27-6 of the School Code)

A physical education course of study shall include a developmentally plannedand sequential curriculum that fosters the development of movement skills, enhances health-related fitness, increases students' knowledge, offers direct opportunities to learn how to work cooperatively in a group setting, and encourages healthy habits and attitudes for a healthy lifestyle. A physical education course of study shall provide students with an opportunity for an appropriate amount of physical activity. A physical education course of study must be part of the regular school curriculum and not extra-curricular in nature or organization.

Document establishes physical education learning Standard for elementary school students.