HB 509 -- Physical Education Programs in Schools

Sponsor:  Stream

By July 1, 2011, this bill requires all school districts to have
a physical education program that:

(1)  Requires daily participation in physical education for
students in kindergarten through eighth grade at a weekly minimum
duration specified in the bill, plus a minimum 20-minute daily
recess period for kindergarten through fifth grade students;

(2)  Establishes goals and objectives for physical education
based on a sequential, developmentally appropriate curriculum,
with a minimum of 50% of class time devoted to physical activity,
in addition to other requirements specified in the bill;

(3)  Includes suitable adaptations for students who have medical
or physical conditions that make participation in regular
physical education activities difficult;

(4)  Provides for regular assessments on physical fitness
proficiency at the local level for attainment of objectives, and
in first through eighth grades and when high school physical
education courses are taken, through the state's physical fitness
assessment which are to be reported to the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education in the June reporting cycle
for core data; and

(5)  Provides for health-related fitness testing to be integrated
into the curriculum as an instructional tool.

Exemptions from taking physical education courses that are based
on participation in other activities such as marching band or
athletic teams are not permitted.  Facilities and equipment as
well as teacher requirements are specified.  The physical
education program must be coordinated with other components of
overall school health programs, local wellness policies, and
health education and physical education grade level expectations.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am