Health & Physical Education FAQs
RCW 28A.230.090 authorizes SBE to establish state's credit graduation requirements. SBE has established credit subject area requirements (WAC 180-51-067, WAC 180-51-068, WAC 180-51-210).
RCW 28A.230.040 directs that every student in grades one through eight in public schools shall receive instruction in physical education. Individual students may be excused due to physical disability, religious belief, or participation in directed athletics. RCW 28A.230.050 directs that all high schools shall "emphasize the work of physical education and carry into effect all physical education requirements". In high school, students may be excused from participating in the fitness portion of physical education according the provision described in question 3 below.
No, the physical education requirement is a core subject area requirement that may not be waived. Individual students may be excused locally from participating in the fitness portion of physical education "on account of physical disability, employment, religious belief, or because of participation in directed athletics or military science and tactics or for other good cause.” (RCW 28A.230.050). WAC 180-51-067, WAC 180-51-068, and WAC 180-51-210, clarify that such excused students shall be required to demonstrate proficiency/competency in the knowledge portion of the physical education requirement.
No. WAC 180-51-067, adopted for the Class of 2016, and the rules for all subsequent classes, clarify that .5 credits are required for Health, and 1.5 credit are required for physical education.
Students who fulfill the requirements of an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme are exempt from WAC 180-51-067 (required demonstration of proficiency/competency in the knowledge portion of the fitness requirement) as per statute RCW.28A.230.122. School districts may require students under this section to complete local graduation requirements that are in addition to state minimum requirements before issuing a high school diploma under RCW 28A.230.120.
Districts may determine how to meet the Health requirement either as a stand-alone Health class (which is best practice for sensitive topics such as suicide prevention education or sexual health education) or a combined health and physical education class. Whatever the delivery method, the Washington State K-12 Health and Fitness Learning Standards for Health are to be taught. The Health and Fitness Learning Standards and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) describe what students should know and be able to do. They establish the concepts and skills necessary for safe and healthy living, and in turn, for successful learning. Basic education in Washington state is defined by the Legislature (RCW 28A.150.2). As required by state law, OSPI develops the state's learning standards (RCW 28A.150.210) and oversees the assessment of the learning standards (RCW 28A.655.070) for state and federal accountability purposes. The standards can be found on the OSPI Health and Fitness website.