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participated in 
interscholastic 
athletics, 
marching band, 
or cheerleading 
for at least two 
full seasons. 
If the board 
or another 
authority adopts 
such a policy, it 
may not require 
the student 
to complete 
any physical 
education course 
as a condition to 
graduate. 
No state policy.
No state 
policy.
Physical 
educators 
in Ohio are 
required to 
hold a multi-
age license 
in physical 
education valid 
for teaching 
physical 
education in 
grades PreK-12. 
Ohio Revised 
Code 3319.076 
(2010) requires 
all physical 
education 
teachers hired 
by districts after 
July 1, 2013, 
to provide 
instruction in 
grades K-12 
to have a valid 
license for 
teaching physical 
education 
pursuant to 
Ohio Revised 
Code 3319.076 
(2010).
Complete 
one-half unit 
of coursework 
in physical 
education.
No state policy.
No state policy.
No state policy.
Healthier Schools: A Brighter 
Tomorrow, which acts as a 
guide for the development of 
wellness policies and points 
to examples of best practices 
in other states.

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
454
 
Educating the Student Body
TAbLE C-1 Continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
Oklahoma
Statute 70-11-
103.9 (2005) 
requires that all 
public elementary 
schools, grades 
K-5, provide 
instruction 
in physical 
education or an 
exercise program 
for a minimum of 
an average of 60 
minutes per week. 
Senate Bill 1186 
(2008) requires 
an additional 
60 minutes each 
week of physical 
activity, which 
may include, but 
is not limited 
to, physical 
education, 
exercise 
programs, 
fitness breaks, 
recess, classroom 
activities, 
and wellness 
and nutrition 
education. 
Each school 
district board of 
education shall 
determine the 
specific activities 
and means of 
compliance with 
the provisions of 
the law. 
Statute 70-11-
103.9 (2005) 
requires school 
districts to 
provide all 
students physical 
education 
programs, which 
may include 
athletics, for 
accreditation.
No state policy.
Priority 
Academic 
Student 
Skills (PASS) 
Integrated 
Curriculum: 
Health, Safety 
and Physical 
Education 
(2002) provides 
a suggested 
framework to 
promote the 
health and 
well-being of 
each student 
in grades K-12 
and guide 
them toward 
becoming 
physically active 
for life.
No state 
policy.
Competencies 
for Licensure 
& Certification 
(2002) provides 
an outline of the 
knowledge and 
skills required 
for physical 
education/safety 
licensure and 
certification.
No state 
policy.
70-11-103.9 
(2007) requires 
the Board of 
Education 
to strongly 
encourage 
school districts 
to incorporate 
physical activity 
into the school 
day by providing 
to students 
in full-day 
kindergarten and 
grades 1-5 at 
least a 20-minute 
daily recess, in 
addition to the 
60 minutes of 
required physical 
education. It 
also encourages 
districts to 
allow students 
brief physical 
activity breaks 
throughout the 
day, physical 
activity clubs, 
and special 
events.
No state policy.
No state policy.
Statute Title 70 Section 
24-100b (2005) requires 
each school district to report 
to the state Department of 
Education on the district’s 
wellness policy, goals, 
guidelines, and progress in 
implementing the policy and 
attaining the goals.

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Appendix C
 
455
continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
Oklahoma
Statute 70-11-
103.9 (2005) 
requires that all 
public elementary 
schools, grades 
K-5, provide 
instruction 
in physical 
education or an 
exercise program 
for a minimum of 
an average of 60 
minutes per week. 
Senate Bill 1186 
(2008) requires 
an additional 
60 minutes each 
week of physical 
activity, which 
may include, but 
is not limited 
to, physical 
education, 
exercise 
programs, 
fitness breaks, 
recess, classroom 
activities, 
and wellness 
and nutrition 
education. 
Each school 
district board of 
education shall 
determine the 
specific activities 
and means of 
compliance with 
the provisions of 
the law. 
Statute 70-11-
103.9 (2005) 
requires school 
districts to 
provide all 
students physical 
education 
programs, which 
may include 
athletics, for 
accreditation.
No state policy.
Priority 
Academic 
Student 
Skills (PASS) 
Integrated 
Curriculum: 
Health, Safety 
and Physical 
Education 
(2002) provides 
a suggested 
framework to 
promote the 
health and 
well-being of 
each student 
in grades K-12 
and guide 
them toward 
becoming 
physically active 
for life.
No state 
policy.
Competencies 
for Licensure 
& Certification 
(2002) provides 
an outline of the 
knowledge and 
skills required 
for physical 
education/safety 
licensure and 
certification.
No state 
policy.
70-11-103.9 
(2007) requires 
the Board of 
Education 
to strongly 
encourage 
school districts 
to incorporate 
physical activity 
into the school 
day by providing 
to students 
in full-day 
kindergarten and 
grades 1-5 at 
least a 20-minute 
daily recess, in 
addition to the 
60 minutes of 
required physical 
education. It 
also encourages 
districts to 
allow students 
brief physical 
activity breaks 
throughout the 
day, physical 
activity clubs, 
and special 
events.
No state policy.
No state policy.
Statute Title 70 Section 
24-100b (2005) requires 
each school district to report 
to the state Department of 
Education on the district’s 
wellness policy, goals, 
guidelines, and progress in 
implementing the policy and 
attaining the goals.

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
456
 
Educating the Student Body
TAbLE C-1 Continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
Oregon
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-022-
1210 (2005) 
requires school 
districts to 
provide a K-12 
instructional 
program that 
includes physical 
education. 
House Bill 3141 
(2007) requires 
every public 
school student 
in grades K-8 
to participate 
in physical 
education for the 
entire school year. 
Students in grades 
K-5 are required 
to participate 
in physical 
education for at 
least 150 minutes 
each week. 
Students in grades 
6-8 are required 
to participate 
in physical 
education for at 
least 225 minutes 
each week. 
School districts 
are required 
to devote at 
least 50 percent 
of physical 
education class 
time to actual 
physical activity. 
Full compliance 
is required by the 
2017-2018 school 
year.
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-022-
1910 (1996) 
allows a district 
to excuse a 
pupil from a 
state-required 
program or 
learning activity 
to accommodate 
a student’s 
disability or 
religious beliefs.
The Physical 
Education 
Standards 
(2005) 
recommend 
students in 
grades K-12 
acquire the 
knowledge 
and skills to 
understand 
the role of 
physical activity 
in promoting 
health. 
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-022-
1210 requires 
each district 
to have a 
planned K-12 
instructional 
program with 
common 
curriculum goals 
and content 
standards 
in physical 
education. 
House Bill 
3141 (2007) 
requires school 
districts to offer 
instruction 
in physical 
education 
that meets 
the academic 
content 
standards 
for physical 
education 
adopted by the 
State Board of 
Education under 
Oregon Revised 
Statute 329.045 
(2003).
No state 
policy.
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 584-036-
0015 (2005) 
states that an 
elementary 
subject matter 
endorsement for 
grades PreK-9 
is valid for 
departmental 
assignments 
in physical 
education. 
All subject 
matter 
endorsements, 
except 
elementary, 
are valid for 
teaching physical 
education in 
grades 5-12. For 
a basic physical 
education 
endorsement, 48 
quarter hours 
are required to 
demonstrate 
the competence 
outlined 
in Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 548-038-
0230 (1989).
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-
022-1130 
(2002) states 
that students 
must complete 
one unit of 
coursework 
in physical 
education.
No state policy.
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-022-
1680 (1996) 
states that 
school districts 
may allow only 
organizations 
that have been 
approved by 
the state board 
to administer 
interscholastic 
activities.
Oregon 
Revised Statute 
195.119 (2003) 
requires local 
governments 
to work with 
school district 
personnel 
to identify 
barriers and 
hazards to 
children 
walking or 
bicycling to 
and from 
school. 
House Bill 
2742 (2005) 
establishes the 
Safe Routes 
to School 
program 
and funds 
within the 
Department of 
Transportation.
The Department of 
Education has provided 
local education agencies 
with several documents for 
creating and implementing 
wellness policies, including 
a school wellness newsletter 
with tips, resources, and 
highlights of exemplary 
districts.

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Appendix C
 
457
continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
Oregon
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-022-
1210 (2005) 
requires school 
districts to 
provide a K-12 
instructional 
program that 
includes physical 
education. 
House Bill 3141 
(2007) requires 
every public 
school student 
in grades K-8 
to participate 
in physical 
education for the 
entire school year. 
Students in grades 
K-5 are required 
to participate 
in physical 
education for at 
least 150 minutes 
each week. 
Students in grades 
6-8 are required 
to participate 
in physical 
education for at 
least 225 minutes 
each week. 
School districts 
are required 
to devote at 
least 50 percent 
of physical 
education class 
time to actual 
physical activity. 
Full compliance 
is required by the 
2017-2018 school 
year.
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-022-
1910 (1996) 
allows a district 
to excuse a 
pupil from a 
state-required 
program or 
learning activity 
to accommodate 
a student’s 
disability or 
religious beliefs.
The Physical 
Education 
Standards 
(2005) 
recommend 
students in 
grades K-12 
acquire the 
knowledge 
and skills to 
understand 
the role of 
physical activity 
in promoting 
health. 
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-022-
1210 requires 
each district 
to have a 
planned K-12 
instructional 
program with 
common 
curriculum goals 
and content 
standards 
in physical 
education. 
House Bill 
3141 (2007) 
requires school 
districts to offer 
instruction 
in physical 
education 
that meets 
the academic 
content 
standards 
for physical 
education 
adopted by the 
State Board of 
Education under 
Oregon Revised 
Statute 329.045 
(2003).
No state 
policy.
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 584-036-
0015 (2005) 
states that an 
elementary 
subject matter 
endorsement for 
grades PreK-9 
is valid for 
departmental 
assignments 
in physical 
education. 
All subject 
matter 
endorsements, 
except 
elementary, 
are valid for 
teaching physical 
education in 
grades 5-12. For 
a basic physical 
education 
endorsement, 48 
quarter hours 
are required to 
demonstrate 
the competence 
outlined 
in Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 548-038-
0230 (1989).
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-
022-1130 
(2002) states 
that students 
must complete 
one unit of 
coursework 
in physical 
education.
No state policy.
Oregon 
Administrative 
Rule 581-022-
1680 (1996) 
states that 
school districts 
may allow only 
organizations 
that have been 
approved by 
the state board 
to administer 
interscholastic 
activities.
Oregon 
Revised Statute 
195.119 (2003) 
requires local 
governments 
to work with 
school district 
personnel 
to identify 
barriers and 
hazards to 
children 
walking or 
bicycling to 
and from 
school. 
House Bill 
2742 (2005) 
establishes the 
Safe Routes 
to School 
program 
and funds 
within the 
Department of 
Transportation.
The Department of 
Education has provided 
local education agencies 
with several documents for 
creating and implementing 
wellness policies, including 
a school wellness newsletter 
with tips, resources, and 
highlights of exemplary 
districts.

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
458
 
Educating the Student Body
TAbLE C-1 Continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
Pennsylvania
Students at the 
elementary, 
middle, and high 
school levels shall 
receive planned 
instruction 
in physical 
education aligned 
with the academic 
standards 
according to 022 
PA Code 4.27 
(1999). Further 
details of the 
requirements at 
the elementary 
level can be found 
in 022 PA Code 
4.21 (1999), at 
the middle school 
in 022 PA Code 
4.22 (1999), and 
at the high school 
level in 022 
PA Code 4.23 
(1999).
Parents/
guardians may 
remove the child 
from instruction 
when it conflicts 
with religious 
beliefs. 
A written 
request must be 
submitted to the 
school.
Academic 
Standards for 
Health, Safety, 
and Physical 
Education 
(2003) describe 
what students 
should know 
and be able to 
do by the end 
of grades 3, 
6, 9, and 12. 
The standards 
are mandated 
and binding. 
Schools are 
not required to 
follow a specific 
curriculum but 
are required 
to use the 
standards as 
a curricular 
framework for 
development 
of the local 
curriculum.
No state 
policy.
24 P.S. 12-
1202 (no date 
available) 
requires that 
teachers be 
certified in the 
field in which 
they teach.
022 PA Code 
57.31 (1988) 
requires the 
completion 
of one health 
and physical 
education 
credit.
No state policy.
022 PA Code 
4.27 (1999) 
requires students 
of both sexes to 
have equal access 
in interscholastic 
and intramural 
programs.
No state policy.
Local education agencies are 
required to complete a Local 
Wellness Policy Checklist 
and submit it to the state 
Department of Education 
with their Wellness Policy.
Rhode Island
Statute § 16-22-4 
(2008) requires 
all children in 
grades 1-12 
attending public 
schools to receive 
instruction 
in health 
and physical 
education for an 
average of at least 
20 minutes in 
each school day.
No state policy.
Statute § 16-
22-4 (2008) 
requires the 
physical 
education 
curriculum to 
be based on 
the physical 
education 
standards of 
the Rhode 
Island Physical 
Education 
Framework: 
Supporting 
Physically 
Active Lifestyles 
Through 
Quality Physical 
Education 
(2003) by 
September 2012.
Statute