BP 6142.7 — PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY
Instruction BP 6142.7(a)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY
The Board of Education recognizes the positive benefits of physical activity on student
health, well-being, and academic achievement. The District shall provide all students the
opportunity to be physically active on a regular basis through high-quality physical
education instruction and may provide additional opportunities for physical activity
throughout the school day. The District’s physical education and activity programs shall
support the District’s coordinated student wellness program and encourage students’
lifelong fitness.
(cf. 5030 - Student Wellness)
(cf. 6142.8 - Comprehensive Health Education)
The District’s physical education program shall provide a developmentally appropriate
sequence of instruction aligned with state’s model content standards and curriculum
framework.
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
The District’s physical education program shall engage students in age-appropriate
moderate to vigorous physical activity, as defined in the accompanying administrative
regulation, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies to monitor the amount of
moderate to vigorous physical activity that takes place in the physical education
instructional program.
For grades 9-12, the overall course of study shall include the effects of physical activity
upon dynamic health, the mechanics of body movement, aquatics, gymnastics and
tumbling, individual and dual sports, rhythms and dance, team sports, and combatives.
(Education Code 33352; 5 CCR 10060)
The Board shall approve the courses in grades 9-12 for which physical education credit
may be granted.
(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6146.11 - Alternative Credits Toward Graduation)
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the District’s program provides students
with equal opportunities for instruction and participation regardless of gender in
accordance with law.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
BP 6142.7(b)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY (cont.)
The Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies to supplement physical
education instruction with additional opportunities for students to be physically active
before, during, and after the school day.
(cf. 1330.1 - Joint Use Agreements)
(cf. 5148 - Child Care and Development Program)
(cf. 5148.2 - Before/After School Program)
(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
Students with disabilities shall be provided instruction in physical education in accordance
with their Individualized Education Program or Section 504 accommodation plan.
(cf. 6159 - Individualized Education Program)
(cf. 6164.6 - Identification and Education under Section 504)
During air pollution episodes, extreme weather, or other inclement conditions, physical
education staff shall make appropriate adjustments to the program or shall seek
alternative indoor space to enable students to participate in active physical education.
(cf. 3514 - Environmental Safety)
(cf. 5141.7 - Sun Safety)
Staffing
Physical education instruction shall be delivered by appropriately credentialed teachers
who may be assisted by instructional aides, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers.
(cf. 1240 - Volunteer Assistance)
(cf. 4112.2 - Certification)
(cf. 4112.21 - Interns)
(cf. 4113 - Assignment)
(cf. 4222 - Teacher Aides/Paraprofessionals)
The District shall provide physical education teachers with continuing professional
development, including classroom management and instructional strategies designed to
keep students engaged and active and to enhance the quality of physical education
instruction and assessment.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
Physical Fitness Testing
The Superintendent or designee shall annually administer the physical fitness test
designated by the State Board of Education (FITNESSGRAM) to students in grades 5, 7,
and 9. (Education Code 60800; 5 CCR 1041)
BP 6142.7(c)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY (cont.)
Temporary Exemptions
The Superintendent or designee may grant a temporary exemption from physical
education under either of the following conditions: (Education Code 51241)
1. The student is ill or injured and a modified program to meet the student’s needs cannot
be provided.
2. The student is enrolled for one-half time or less.
Two-Year Exemptions
With a student’s consent, the Superintendent or designee may exempt the student from
physical education courses for any two years during grades 10-12 provided that the
student has satisfactorily met at least five of the six standards of the FITNESSGRAM in
grade 9. (Education Code 51241)
Upon request by students and/or their parents/guardians, the Superintendent or designee
may administer the FITNESSGRAM to students in grades 10-12 who need to pass the
test in order to qualify for a two-year exemption from physical education courses.
Such students shall not be permitted to attend fewer total hours of courses and classes
than they would have attended if enrolled in a physical education course. (Education
Code 51241)
(cf. 6112 - School Day)
Permanent Exemptions
The Superintendent or designee may grant a permanent exemption from physical
education under any of the following conditions: (Education Code 51241)
1. The student is age 16 years or older and has been enrolled in grade 10 for one or
more academic years. However, such a student shall not be permitted to attend fewer
total hours of courses and classes than the student would have attended if enrolled in
a physical education course.
2. The student is enrolled as a postgraduate student.
3. The student is enrolled in a juvenile home, ranch, camp, or forestry camp school with
scheduled recreation and exercise.
BP 6142.7(d)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY (cont.)
Other Exemptions
The Superintendent or designee may grant a student an exemption from physical
education under the following special circumstances:
1. When the student is in any of grades 10-12 and is excused for up to 24 clock hours in
order to participate in automobile driver training. However, any such student shall
attend a minimum of 7,000 minutes of physical education instruction during the school
year. (Education Code 51222)
2. When the student is in any of grades 10-12, attends a regional occupational center or
program, and, because of the travel time involved, would experience hardship to
attend physical education courses. Any such student shall have a minimum school
day of 180 minutes. (Education Code 52316)
3. When the student is in high school and is engaged in a regular school-sponsored
interscholastic athletic program carried on wholly or partially after regular school
hours. (Education Code 51242)
(cf. 6145.2 - Athletic Competition)
Program Evaluation
The Superintendent or designee may annually report to the Board each school’s
FITNESSGRAM results for each applicable grade level. The Superintendent or designee
shall also report to the Board regarding the number of instructional minutes offered in
physical education for each grade level, the number of two-year and permanent
exemptions granted pursuant to Education Code 51241, and any other data agreed upon
by the Board and the Superintendent or designee to evaluate program quality and the
effectiveness of the District’s program in meeting goals for physical activity and student
well-being.
(cf. 0500 - Accountability)
(cf. 6190 - Evaluation of the Instructional Program)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
220 Prohibition of discrimination
221.5 Equal opportunity
33126 School accountability report card
33350-33354 CDE responsibilities re: physical education
35256 School accountability report card
44250-44277 Credentials and assignment of teachers
49066 Grades; change of grades; physical education grade
51210 Course of study, grades 1-6
BP 6142.7(e)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY (cont.)
51220 Course of study, grades 7-12
51222 Physical education, instructional minutes
51223 Physical education, elementary schools
51241 Temporary, two-year or permanent exemption from physical education
51242 Exemption from physical education for athletic program participants
52316 Excuse from attending physical education classes; regional occupational center/program
60800 Physical performance test
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 34
106.33 Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex; comparable facilities
106.34 Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex; access to classes and schools
300.108 Assistance to states for the education of children with disabilities; physical education
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29
794 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42
1758b Local wellness policy
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
53 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 230 (1970)
COURT DECISIONS
Doe v. Albany Unified School District (2010) 190 Cal.App.4th 668
Cal200 et al. v. San Francisco Unified School District et al. (2013), San Francisco Superior Court, Case
No. CGC-13-534975
Cal200 et al. v. Oakland Unified School District et al. (San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CPF-14-
513959
Management Resources:
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION PUBLICATIONS
Active Bodies, Active Minds: Physical Activity and Academic Achievement, Fact Sheet, February 2010
Maximizing Opportunities for Physical Activity During the School Day, Fact Sheet, November 2009
Maximizing Opportunities for Physical Activity Through Joint Use of Facilities, Policy Brief, February 2010
Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Physical Education to Improve Health and Academic Outcomes,
Fact Sheet, November 2009
Monitoring for Success: A Guide for Assessing and Strengthening Student Wellness Policies, rev. 2012
Physical Education and California Schools, Policy Brief, October 2007
Student Wellness: A Healthy Food and Physical Activity Policy Resource Guide, 2012
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade 12, 2009
Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade
12, January 2005
Adapted Physical Education Guidelines for California Schools, 2003
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PUBLICATIONS
School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment and Planning Guide, Middle/High School, 2017
School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment and Planning Guide, Elementary School, 2017
COMMISSION ON TEACHER CREDENTIALING PUBLICATIONS
The Administrator's Assignment Manual, 2019
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PUBLICATIONS
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition, October 2018
WEBSITES
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION: www.csba.org
California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition): www.californiaprojectlean.org
Healthy People 2010: www.healthypeople.gov
President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition: www.fitness.gov
BP 6142.7(f)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY (cont.)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.health.gov
National Association for Sport and Physical Education: www.aahperd.org/naspe
Commission on Teacher Credentialing: www.ctc.ca.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
California Healthy Kids Resource Center: www.californiahealthykids.org
California Department of Education, Physical Fitness Testing: www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf
Chino Valley Unified School District
Policy adopted: August 21, 1997
Revised: May 3, 2000
Revised: March 5, 2009
Revised: August 6, 2009
Revised: May 20, 2010
Revised: December 14, 2017
Revised: October 20, 2022