Physical Education

The 2008 Legislature passed Senate Bill 610 which was signed into law by Governor Crist on June 2, 2008. It included changes in statute as it relates to physical education requirements for Florida students.

Section 1003.455, Florida Statutes, requires 150 minutes each week of physical education for students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade, and beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, the equivalent of one class period per day of physical education for one semester of each year for students in grades six through eight.The physical education requirement shall be waived for a student who meets one of the following criteria:

• The student is enrolled or required to enroll in a remedial course.
• The student’s parent indicates in writing to the school that:
  1. The parent requests that the student enroll in another course from among those offered as options by the school district, OR
  2. The student is participating in physical activities outside the school day which are equal to or in excess of the mandated requirement.

This statute requires each District School Board to notify parents of the options available prior to scheduling a student in physical education. Unless your child meets one of the waiver criteria listed above, he/she will be enrolled in physical education for no less than the mandated amount.

Please contact your school administration if you have questions or concerns regarding the physical education requirements or waiver criteria.