Adoption Date: 06/22/2021

History: 08/24/2021(updated), 4/26/22 (reviewed), 3/28/23 (reviewed), 3/26/24 (updated)

Students in grades one through twelve are required to participate in physical education courses unless they are excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Students may be excused from physical education courses if the student presents a written statement from a doctor stating that such activities could be injurious to the health of the student or the student has been exempted because of a conflict with the student's religious beliefs.

Students in grades 9-12 may also be excused from physical education courses if:

• The student is enrolled in academic courses not otherwise available, or
• The student is participating in the Legislative Page Program at the state capitol for a regular session of the general assembly, or
• The student is enrolled in a junior reserves officer training corps.

Students in grades 9-12 may also be excused from physical education courses if the student is enrolled in a cooperative, work study or other educational program authorized by the school which requires the student's absence from school or if the student is participating in an organized and supervised program which requires at least as much participation and movement per week as one-eighth unit of physical education. Such programs must be approved by the school district as meeting the standard for a physical education exemption.

Students who will not participate in physical education must have a written request or statement from their parents.

Policy References:

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code § 256.11 
281 I.A.C. 12.5.