(a) It shall be the goal of the District of Columbia for children to engage in physical activity for 60 minutes each day.
(b) Public schools and public charter schools shall promote this goal.
(c) Public schools and public charter schools shall seek to maximize physical activity by means including:
(1) Extending the school day;
(2) Encouraging students to walk or bike to school;
(3) Promoting active recess;
(4) Including physical activity in after-school activities;
(5) Supporting athletic programs; and
(6) Integrating movement into classroom instruction.
(July 27, 2010, D.C. Law 18-209, § 401, 57 DCR 4779.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 18-209, see notes following § 38-821.01.
(a) Public schools and public charter schools shall provide physical education as follows:
(1) For students in Kindergarten through Grade 5:
(A) School years 2010-2011 to 2013-2014: an average of at least 30 minutes per week or the same level of physical education as provided in school year 2009- 2010, whichever is greater; and
(B) School year 2014-2015 and after: an average of at least 150 minutes per week;
(2) For students in Grades 6 through 8:
(A) School years 2010-2011 to 2013-2014: an average of at least 45 minutes per week or the same level of physical education as provided in school year 2009- 2010, whichever is greater; and
(B) School year 2014-2015 and after: an average of at least 225 minutes per week.
(3) At least 50% of physical education class time shall be devoted to actual physical activity, with as much class time as possible spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
(b) Public schools and public charter schools shall provide health education to students in Grades Kindergarten through 8 as follows:
(1) School years 2010-2011 to 2013-2014: an average of at least 15 minutes per week or the same level of health education as provided in school year 2009- 2010, whichever is greater; and
(2) School year 2014-2015 and after: an average of at least 75 minutes per week;
(c) The State Board of Education, with assistance from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, shall consider ways to expand physical education in high schools.
(d) The physical education and health education required by this section shall meet the curricular standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
(July 27, 2010, D.C. Law 18-209, § 402, 57 DCR 4779.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary (90 day) addition of section, see § 4062(i) of Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-383, June 19, 2012, 59 DCR 7764).
For temporary (90 day) addition of section, see § 4062(i) of Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-413, July 25, 2012, 59 DCR 9290).
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 18-209, see notes following § 38-821.01.
(a) On or before February 15, 2013, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education shall transmit to the Council a strategic plan for increasing access to, participation in, and the quality of an interscholastic athletics program in District of Columbia Public Schools and public charter schools by the 2014- 2015 school year.
(b) The strategic plan shall include a description of:
(1) The level of programs needed to ensure greater access to interscholastic athletics;
(2) The resources required to operate a robust interscholastic athletics program throughout the public schools;
(3) How District facilities may be better utilized to provide for interscholastic athletics; and
(4) The effect of a robust athletics program on student health and community involvement.
(July 27, 2010, D.C. Law 18-209, § 402a, as added Sept. 20, 2012, D.C. Law 19-168, § 4062(i), 59 DCR 8025.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For history of Law 19-168, see notes under § 38-751.01.
Miscellaneous Notes
Section 4063 of D.C. Law 19-168 provides:
"Sec. 4063. Applicability.
"This subtitle shall apply as of June 20, 2012."
(a) A student with disabilities shall have suitably adapted physical education incorporated as part of the individualized education program developed for the student. With a written note from a physician, public schools and public charter schools may provide suitably adapted physical education for any other student with special needs that preclude the student from participating in regular physical education instruction.
(b) Requiring or withholding physical activity shall not be used to punish students; provided, that students who are not wearing appropriate athletic clothing may be prohibited from participating in physical activity until properly dressed.
(July 27, 2010, D.C. Law 18-209, § 403, 57 DCR 4779.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 18-209, see notes following § 38-821.01.
The Department of Parks and Recreation shall provide equal access and shall charge equal fees to both public schools and public charter schools for the use of its recreation centers, fields, playgrounds, and other facilities.
(July 27, 2010, D.C. Law 18-209, § 404, 57 DCR 4779.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 18-209, see notes following § 38-821.01.
Beginning in 2011, on or before September 30 of each year, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education shall report to the Mayor, the Council, and the Healthy Schools and Youth Commission annually regarding:
(1) Compliance of public schools and public charter schools with the physical and health education requirements in this subchapter; and
(2) Student achievement with respect to health and physical education standards.
(July 27, 2010, D.C. Law 18-209, § 405, 57 DCR 4779.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 18-209, see notes following § 38-821.01.
