ACSA has been following a bill that would allow participation in certain extra-curricular activities to exclude students from physical education requirements.

Assembly Bill 351, Salas, D-Chula Vista, would allow students who participate in California Cadet Corps, cheer team or dance team, color guard or drill team, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or marching band as part of the regular course of study or regular school-sponsored extracurricular activities to be exempt from PE requirements.

AB 351 requires the program to include not less than 400 minutes of physical education substitution for every 10 days and to include at least seven of the eight physical education content areas: effects of physical activity upon dynamic health, mechanics of body movement, aquatics, gymnastics and tumbling, individual and dual sports, rhythms and dance, team sports and combatives.

In addition, in order to qualify for the exemption, these programs must be taught by a certificated employee of the school district;  have a certificated employee of the school district serve as the sponsor of the activity at the school site; and have each pupil meet satisfactorily, at least five of the six standards of the physical performance test in grade 9 or 10 to continue to be eligible in grades 11 and 12 for the exemption.

Existing law requires high school students to complete two PE courses as a state graduation requirement. In addition, existing law also authorizes school governing boards to exempt  students from this requirement in specific instances. This bill basically seeks to expand those exemptions.

AB 351 is being sponsored by San Diego USD, and is currently in the Assembly Education Committee.

For more information visit www.leginfo.ca.gov.