Code Number: 602.11
The physical education program is to provide opportunities and resources for students to acquire knowledge, discipline, and skills to develop physical fitness, holistic wellness, and a vigorous, healthy lifestyle.
Except as otherwise provided in this policy or in AR 602.11, all students physically able shall be required to participate in the physical education program appropriate for their grade level and students in grades 9-12 must participate in a minimum of one-half unit of physical education during each year they are enrolled.
A twelfth-grade student may be excused from this requirement by the Building Administrator of the school in which the student is enrolled under one of the following circumstances:
- The student is enrolled in a cooperative, work-study, or other educational program authorized by the school, which requires the student’s absence from the school premises during the school day.
- The student is enrolled in academic courses not otherwise available.
- The student is participating in an organized and supervised athletic program which requires at least as much time of participation per week as one-fourth unit of physical education.
One-half unit per year equals 1,800 minutes. Only when participation in an organized and supervised athletic program equals 1,800 minutes during a year may a senior be excused from physical education for that semester.
For purposes of this requirement, an organized and supervised athletic program is one that is sponsored by the school or District and employs licensed and appropriately endorsed staff. To qualify as an organized and supervised athletic program, for example, cheerleading squads, dance squads, and show choirs must be supervised by licensed employees or those with coaching endorsements.
Students in grades nine through eleven may be permitted to be excused from the physical education requirement by the Building Administrator in consultation with the student’s counselor for up to one semester per year in order to enroll in academic courses not otherwise available to the student. A student making such a request must, at some time during the period for which the excuse is sought, be a participant in an organized and supervised program that requires at least as much time of participation per week as one-half unit of physical education.
The Building Administrator shall inform the Superintendent of any student so excused
- First Adoption:
- 1989-05-23
- Revision Adoption:
- July 18, 1995/ September 26, 2000/ January 25, 2010/ November 10, 2014/ February 11, 2019/ March 9, 2020
- Reviewed Dates:
- January 21, 2019/ February 18, 2020
- Legal Reference:
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Iowa Code §256.11
281 I.A.C. 12.5(6), (19)