Physical education courses: alternate term schedules.

(1) Existing law requires the adopted course of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive, to include physical education for a total period of time of not less of than 200 minutes each 10 schools days, as specified, and requires the adopted course of study for grades 7 to 12, inclusive, to require all pupils to attend upon the courses of physical education for a total period of time of not less than 400 minutes each 10 schooldays, except as otherwise specifically exempted. This bill would instead authorize the governing board of any school district maintaining any of grades 6 to 12, inclusive, to adopt a policy providing for an alternate term schedule for physical education courses if (A) pupils in grade 6 receive no less than 400 minutes of instruction every 10 days for a semester of not fewer than 18 weeks during the regular school year, for a total of 3,600 instructional minutes for the school year, and pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, receive no less than 800 minutes of instruction every 10 days for semester of not fewer than 18 weeks during the regular school year, for a total of 7,200 instructional minutes for the school year, (B) the physical education program is aligned with the physical education framework adopted by the State Board of Education in that it provides a sequential, articulated, age-appropriate program, (C) the physical education program complies with regulations regarding the course of study requirements for high school physical education programs, as applicable, and (D) pupils are prepared for, and participate in, required physical performance testing, as specified. (2) Existing law requires a pupil to complete designated coursework while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school, including, among others, the completion of 2 courses in physical education. This bill would deem an alternate term schedule for physical education, as described above, as satisfying a physical education course requirement. (3) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 51210 of the Education Code proposed by AB 1821 to be operative only if this bill and AB 1821 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.