PE Requirements for All Grades

Physical Education Courses

Elementary School (TK-5th)

1. What is the course of study for grades one through six?

The selection of a course of study for grades one through six, inclusive, is the responsibility of local governing boards of education. The course of study selected and implemented for physical education (PE), beginning in grade one and continuing through grade six, must include instruction with an "emphasis upon the physical activities for the pupils that may be conducive to health and vigor of body and mind, for a total period of time of not less than 200 minutes each 10 schooldays, exclusive of recesses and the lunch period" (EC Section 51210[a][7]).

The California Department of Education (CDE) provides both the Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve and the Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve that it recommends local governing boards use to guide their choice of courses of study for PE programs. Both documents are available on the CDE Curriculum and Instruction Web page.

1. How many minutes of physical education (PE) instruction must students in grades one through six receive?

Students in grades one through six, inclusive, must be provided with PE instruction with an "emphasis upon the physical activities for the pupils that may be conducive to health and vigor of body and mind, for a total period of time of not less than 200 minutes each 10 schooldays, exclusive of recesses and the lunch period" (EC Section 51210[a][7]).

1. What are the required instructional minutes for an elementary school maintaining any of grades one through eight?

If a school is identified as an elementary school in the County-District-School code system, EC Section 51223(a) states that, “Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 51210 and 51222, instruction in physical education in an elementary school maintaining any of grades 1 to 8 shall be for a total period of time of not less than 200 minutes each 10 schooldays, exclusive of recesses and the lunch period."

Middle School and High School

1. What is the course of study for grades seven through twelve?

EC Section 51220 states that, "The adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12, inclusive, shall offer courses in the following areas of study: (d) Physical education, with emphasis given to physical activities that are conducive to health and to vigor of body and mind, as required by Section 51222."

2. How many minutes of physical education instruction must students in grades seven through twelve receive?

Notwithstanding EC Section 51223(a), “All pupils, except pupils excused or exempted pursuant to Section 51241, shall be required to attend upon the courses of physical education for a total period of time of not less than 400 minutes each 10 schooldays” (EC Section 51222[a]).

High School

1. What are the state high school graduation requirements for physical education (PE)?

The minimum requirement for graduation is two courses in PE. EC Section 51225.3(a) states, “A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school: At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified:” (EC Section 51225.3[a][1]) “Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to the provisions of this code” (EC Section 51225.3[a][1][F]).

1. What is the required course content for high school students enrolled in physical education (PE)?

The course of study adopted by local educational agencies (LEAs) must include PE for grades one through six, inclusive, (EC Section 51210[a][7]) and for grades 7 through 12, inclusive (EC Section 51220[d]). These statutes specify that the PE course of study must include an emphasis upon those physical activities that may be “conducive to health and vigor of body and mind.”

EC Section 51220(d) and EC Section 33352(b)(7) together require that each LEA offers a course of study in PE for grades 9 through 12, inclusive, that includes a developmentally appropriate sequence of instruction in the eight required content areas over the span of the PE classes offered as part of the school’s course of study. The law does not specify that every class must include instruction in all eight areas, but rather it speaks to a course of study over grades 9 through 12 that includes all eight areas.

Along with EC Section 33352(b)(7), Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations (5 CCR) Section 10060(a) outlines the criteria upon which each school district shall evaluate students in its course of study for high school PE. The course of study provides for instruction in a developmental sequence in each of the following areas:

1. Effects of physical activity upon dynamic health

2. Mechanics of body movement

3. Aquatics

4. Gymnastics and tumbling

5. Individual and dual sports

6. Rhythms and dance

7. Team sports

8. Combatives.” (5 CCR Section 10060[a])

In addition, the Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools, High School Courses One and Two, convey a course model that includes the topics listed above.

1. Is there a particular requirement of course content in order for a course to be awarded physical education (PE) credit? (as a part of a broader course of study in PE)

In making the determination of whether to award PE credit for any given activity or class, EC Section 51220(d) and EC Section 33352(b)(7) together require that each local educational agency (LEA) offers a course of study in PE for grades 9 through 12, inclusive, that includes instruction in the eight required content areas over the span of the PE courses offered as part of the school’s course of study. The law does not specify that every class must include instruction in all eight areas, but rather it speaks to a course of study over grades 9 through 12 that includes all eight areas. It is ultimately the obligation of each LEA to determine how each particular class, as conducted in its district, supports its course of study for grades 9 through 12. The course of study must include the eight required content areas and substantially meet the objectives and criteria of EC Section 33352(b)(7) and 5 CCR Section 10060. While it is not required that every class for which PE course credit is given includes all eight areas, each LEA is required to structure its course offerings such that all areas are included over the course of study offered to all students.

In addition, it is important to note that EC Section 33352(b) requires each LEA to meet additional responsibilities should the LEA decide to award PE credit for a particular course. These responsibilities include the provision of minimum instructional minutes, various reporting requirements, and the assignment of an appropriately credentialed teacher.

1. If high school courses provide students with physical activity, but do not meet the content requirements, can those courses be used to meet physical education (PE) requirements?

It is ultimately the obligation of each local educational agency (LEA) to determine how each particular class, as conducted in its district, supports its course of study for grades 9 through 12, inclusive. The course of study must include the eight required content areas and substantially meet the objectives and criteria of EC Section 33352(b)(7) and 5 CCR Section 10060. While it is not required that every class for which PE course credit is given includes all eight areas, each LEA is required to structure its course offerings such that all areas are included over the course of study offered to all students.

1. May a student be granted physical education (PE) course credit for participation in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC)/Cadet Corps?

It is ultimately the obligation of each local educational agency to determine how each particular class, as conducted in its district, supports its course of study for grades 9 through 12, inclusive. Whether JROTC/Cadet Corps may be awarded PE credit is the decision of the local governing board. In making this decision, the local board may consider the district’s course outline of the JROTC/Cadet Corps, the PE model content standards and framework, and the 2009 letter from the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

1. May a student be granted physical education (PE) course credit, or an exemption under Education Code Section 51242, for participation in marching band?

It is ultimately the obligation of each local educational agency to determine how each particular class, as conducted in its district, supports its course of study for grades 9 through 12, inclusive. Whether marching band may be awarded PE credit is the decision of the local governing board. In making this decision, the local board may consider the district’s course outline of the marching band, the visual and performing arts content standards and framework, the PE model content standards and framework, and the 2009 letter from the Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

1. Does a school need to write specific policy regarding high school graduation requirements for physical education (PE) or should it just put the California Education Code into its local governing board policy?

The governing board of a school district or the County Office of Education superintendent of schools determines the local governing board policy. Local educational agencies should contact their legal counsel for additional assistance on this issue. The California School Boards Association  Web site provides guidance to districts on establishing policies.

1. What are the current physical education (PE) assignment codes for the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS)?

The PE course codes for CALPADS can be found in the CALPADS Code Sets file, which is located on the CALPADS System Documentation Web page. (You will find the CALPADS Code Sets under the “CALPADS File Specifications [CFS]” heading; the document is provided in Microsoft Excel format.)