PE Waiver

PE WAIVER INFORMATION

In the State of Ohio, students are required to complete one-half unit of physical education for graduation. One-half unit requires a minimum of 120 hours of course instruction. At Reading High School, this graduation requirement is met when a student completes two semester courses, each worth a quarter credit.

EXEMPTION TO THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

(Based upon Section 3313.603 of the Ohio Revised Code, Letter L)

Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, Reading High School students in grades 9-12 who successfully complete two full seasons of recognized school activities as outlined below may be excused from the high school physical education graduation requirement.  However, prior participation in recognized activities cannot be retroactively used to fulfill waiver requirements.

The “Two Full Season” requirement can be completed within a single school year.  According to Ohio Revised Code, boards of education may NOT provide for partial completion of the high school physical education requirement; therefore, the one-half unit requirement cannot be partially exempted. For example, it is not possible to combine one semester of a physical education course with successful completion of one athletic, marching band, or cheerleading season to meet the physical education graduation requirement.

IMPACT ON OVERALL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Those students excused from the high school physical education graduation requirement are required to complete one-half unit, consisting of at least 60 hours of instruction, in another course of study, as determined by the student and parent in conjunction with school policy. Please note that students will not earn a letter-grade when utilizing the P.E. exemption waiver.  Students will accordingly satisfy their P.E. obligation.

Those students are utilizing the P.E. exemptions are still required to meet all other graduation requirements established by Reading High School including the completion of 21 credits required for graduation.

RECOGNIZED ACTIVITIES 

Reading High School recognizes that “Two Full Seasons” of appropriate participation in the following activities may be used to satisfy P.E. Waiver requirements:

Baseball

Basketball

Band

Bowling

Cheerleading

Color Guard

Cross Country

Dance Team

Football

Golf

Marching Band

Track

Soccer

Softball

Volleyball

Wrestling

Track

**Intramural sports or other club/non-school sponsored activities will not be approved unless otherwise noted by school administration**

PROCESS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXEMPTION

1. Students indicate desire to be exempt from Physical Education courses by choosing the P.E. Waiver option during course selection.

2. Once a student has completed BOTH SEASONS NECESSARY TO BE EXEMPT FROM PHYSICAL EDUCATION, the student will then submit the P.E.  Exemption Waiver Form to their guidance counselor.

3. The Physical Education Exemption Waiver Form will list the two sports/band/cheerleading, etc., seasons completed, the year(s)/season(s) of participation, and the form will be turned into the student’s appropriate guidance counselor. It is the responsibility of the student to turn the form into the guidance department. THIS WILL NOT BE DONE AUTOMATICALLY FOR THE STUDENT.

4. The Physical Education Exemption Form will then be reviewed by the athletic department and the appropriate coaches for approval.

5. Once the appropriate exemption waiver is submitted to the guidance department and approved by the athletic office, students will have fulfilled the necessary requirements for exemption.  Please note that a grade will not be given when utilizing the P.E. exemption waiver.  Students will simply satisfy their P.E. obligation while still required to earn all 21 credits required for graduation from Reading High School.

** Please be aware that this PE Exemption may not transfer should a student transfer to a different school district with different policies**

Students enrolled at Reading High School in grades 9-12 who successfully complete two full seasons of school-recognized activities may be excused from the high school physical education graduation requirement.  This will also qualify students for the Student Engagement Seal.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION WAIVER FORM

Once a student has met the “Successful Completion of a Season” expectations TWO TIMES in some combination of recognized activities, this form should be completed and returned to the guidance department to request exemption from the high school physical education graduation requirement.