Report Title:

Physical Education; Testing, Graduation, Exemptions; DOE

Description:

Requires the course of study for grades 1-6 to include instruction in physical education for not less than 200 minutes every 10 school days. Requires all students in grades 7-12 to attend courses in physical education for not less than 400 minutes every 10 school days.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

278

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to education.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, schools and communities should promote physical activity among children and adolescents because many young people already have risk factors for chronic diseases associated with adult morbidity (i.e., sickness) and mortality (i.e., death). For example, the prevalence of overweight is at an all-time high among children and adolescents. In addition, physical activity has a beneficial effect on the physical and mental health of young people.

People begin to acquire and establish patterns of health-related behaviors during childhood and adolescence; thus, young people should be encouraged to engage in physical activity. Many children, however, are less physically active than recommended. Physical activity declines during adolescence, and enrollment in daily physical education has decreased.

A recent study released by the California Department of Education showed a distinct relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness of California's public school students. According to the study:

(1) Higher achievement was associated with higher levels of fitness at each of the three grade levels (i.e., fifth, seventh, and ninth) measured;

(2) The relationship between academic achievement and fitness was greater in mathematics than in reading, particularly at higher fitness levels;

(3) Students who met minimum fitness levels in three or more physical fitness areas showed the greatest gains in academic achievement at all three grade levels; and

(4) Females demonstrated higher achievement than males, particularly at higher fitness levels.

According to California Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, "This statewide study provides compelling evidence that the physical well-being of students has a direct impact on their ability to achieve academically. We now have the proof we've been looking for: students achieve best when they are physically fit. Thousands of years ago, the Greeks understood the importance of improving spirit, mind, and body. The research presented here validates their philosophic approach with scientific validation."

The purpose of this Act is to reduce the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents in Hawaii by:

(1) Requiring the course of study in grades one through six to include instruction in physical education for not less than two hundred minutes every ten school days; and

(2) Requiring all students in grades seven to twelve to attend courses in physical education for not less than four hundred minutes every ten school days.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new subpart to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

" . Physical Education Requirements

§302A-A Physical education requirements; grades one through six. The course of study in grades one through six shall include instruction in physical education, with an emphasis on physical activities that are conducive to the health and vigor of the body and mind, for not less than two hundred minutes every ten school days, exclusive of recesses and lunch periods.

§302A-B Physical education requirements; grades seven through twelve. (a) All students in grades seven through twelve, except those students excused or exempted pursuant to section 302A-D, shall attend courses in physical education for not less than four hundred minutes every ten school days. Any student may be excused from physical education courses during one of grades ten, eleven, or twelve, for a total of twenty-four hours, in order to participate in automobile driver training. A student who is excused from physical education courses in order to participate in automobile driver training shall attend not less than seven thousand minutes of physical education instruction during that school year.

(b) If the department exempts students from required attendance in physical education courses pursuant to section 302A-D(a)(1) or 302A-D(a)(2), or both, then the department shall offer those students a variety of elective physical education courses of not less than four hundred minutes every ten school days.

§302A-C Physical education requirements for graduation. (a) After the 2006-2007 school year, no student shall receive a diploma of graduation from a high school if the student, while in grades nine through twelve, has not completed two courses in physical education, unless the student has been exempted pursuant to this subpart.

(b) The board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and students, shall adopt alternative means for students to complete the prescribed course of study, which may include a practical demonstration of the students' skills and competencies, the successful completion of basic military training, or graduation from the Hawaii national guard youth challenge academy. Requirements for graduation and specified alternatives for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to students, parents, and the public.

§302A-D Exemption from physical education requirements. (a) The department may grant temporary exemption to a student from courses in physical education, if the student is one of the following:

(1) Ill or injured, and a modified program to meet the needs of the student cannot be provided;

(2) Playing on a school athletic team; provided the exemption shall last only for the period of the particular sport's season; or

(3) Enrolled for one-half, or less, of the work normally required of full-time students.

(b) The department, with the consent of a student, if the student has passed the physical performance test administered in the ninth grade pursuant to section 302A-E, may grant the student an exemption from courses in physical education for two years any time during grades ten through twelve.

(c) The department may grant a student a permanent exemption from courses in physical education if the student is one of the following:

(1) Sixteen years of age or older, and has been enrolled in the tenth grade for one school year or longer;

(2) Enrolled as a postgraduate student; or

(3) Enrolled in a military-style bootcamp where students are regularly scheduled for exercise.

(d) No student exempted under subsection (b) or (c)(1) may attend fewer total required hours of courses even though the student has elected not to enroll in a physical education course.

(e) The department may administer to students in grades ten through twelve, the physical performance test required in grade nine pursuant to section 302A-E. A student who passes this physical performance test in any of grades ten through twelve shall be eligible for an exemption pursuant to subsection (b).

§302A-E Physical performance test. (a) During the month of February, March, April, or May, the department shall administer to each student in grades five, seven, and nine the physical performance test designated by the board. A student with a disability or a student who is physically unable to take all of the physical performance test shall be given as much of the test as the student's condition will permit.

(b) Upon the request of the superintendent, a school shall submit to the department, at least once every year, the results of its physical performance testing.

(c) The department shall compile the results of the physical performance test and submit a report every year, by December 15, to the legislature and governor that standardizes the data, tracks the development of high-quality fitness programs, and compares the performance of Hawaii students with national performance, to the extent that funding is available.

(d) Students shall be provided with their individual results after completing the physical performance testing.

(e) Schools shall report the aggregate results of their physical performance testing administered pursuant to this section in their annual school accountability report card required by section 302A-1004."

SECTION 3. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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