February 2005

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, SECONDARY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
ALBANY, NY 12234

 Q&A ON PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The responses presented below are provided to address frequently asked questions related to the State Education Department’s documents pertaining to physical education. The following documents may be accessed using the accompanying website links: 

Regulations/Curricula

The Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to general education and diploma requirements: 

The Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to other physical education requirements:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/pe/pub/part135.pdf

Physical Education core curricula: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/pe/pestandards/pestand.html

Supporting Documents

School Administrators Manual (SAM)

Curriculum, Instruction & Instructional Technology      

Curriculum, Instruction & Instructional Technology - Publications

General Program Requirements

What are the New York State participation requirements for physical education?

All students in K-12 must attend and participate in a physical

What is the time requirement for physical education per calendar week?

The time requirement for physical education is 120 minutes per calendar week, exclusive of any time that may be required for dressing and showering. Are there any waivers or exemptions for physical education? All pupils shall attend and participate.  Individual medical certificates of      limitations must indicate the area of the program in which the pupil may participate. School district plans must indicate steps to be taken to insure that each pupil meets the requirement for participation in their physical education program.

Program Requirements for Elementary Level Grades

What are the program requirements for grades K-4?:

All pupils in grades K-3 shall attend and participate in physical education on a daily basis. All pupils in grade 4 shall attend participate in physical education not less than three times per week.

 Program Requirements for Intermediate Level

What are the program requirements for grades 5-8?

All pupils in grades 5 and 6 shall attend and participate in physical education not less than three times per week.  All pupils in grades 7 and 8 shall attend and participate in physical education for not less than three times per week in one semester, and not less than two times per week in the other semester.

 Program Requirements for Commencement Level

What are the program requirements for high school?

All pupils in grades 9-12 shall attend and participate in physical education for not less than three times per week in one semester, and not less than two times per week in the other semester.

Must students earn high school credit in physical education?

Yes.  Students entering grade 9 until graduation must earn the equivalent of two units of credit in physical education to be eligible to receive a diploma.  Quarter credits are earned per semester for a total of eight semesters.  This accumulates to the two units of credit necessary to receive a diploma. A student who completes all diploma requirements in fewer than eight semesters is not required to continue enrollment in high school for the sole purpose of meeting the physical education requirements.

May a student double up, or accelerate, in physical education?

No.  A student may take extra physical education classes as electives, but must continue to attend and participate in physical education for eight semesters or until the student meets all other requirements for graduation.

Selection/Classification Process

Who may initiate the Selection/Classification process?

Students, teachers, coaches or parents may request that the Director of Physical Education/Athletics process a student though the screening procedure. Students should not be exposed to the screening without a specific request.

If  grade 7 or 8 students have reached the chronological age for senior high school,  are they required to go through the Selection/Classification process?

Students in grade 7 or 8 who are 15years-old prior to September 1 are eligible to participate on high school teams without going through the Selection/Classification screening procedure. Only medical approval is required. The reason that these students are eligible for high school teams is because they are already at an advanced age and will lose some of their four years of high school eligibility due to being over age if not allowed eligibility.

Does the Selection/Classification provision allow senior high school students to participate  in the modified program?

Yes.  Students may participate in the modified program, provided that they are screened and their maturity and athletic performance standards match those of the students on modified programs.

If a student qualifies for participation on a fall sport, can this approval be used to qualify for a winter sport?

Yes. A student may quality for winter sport, provided the requirement for maturity and athletic performance standards for the winter sport do not exceed those of the fall sport.

If  students qualify for participation in grade 7, must they repeat the process in  grade 8?

No.  Students who qualify for participation in grade 7 do not need to repeat the process in grade 8 as long as they remain at the same level in the same sport. If they change sports or levels, the screening procedure must be repeated.

If a student fails to meet one of the athletic performance items of the Selection/Classification Program, is he/she automatically eliminated from participation?

Yes. However, the student may be retested as many times as is appropriate for a specific item or items. If there is a sound basis for special approval, it can be requested from the State Education Department. 

Are there any provisions made for students with disabilities who are unable to take or pass a component in the athletic performance test?

There are no provisions for students with disabilities within the normal procedures of the program. However, special approvals can be requested of the State Education Department if it can be demonstrated that the students' safety is not being compromised.

Is it intended that this program be applied to all students or in only very special cases?

Only students of unusually advanced or delayed fitness, maturity and skill should be considered for advanced placement through this program.