HB0161eng 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0161 Engrossed LRB098 03817 NHT 33833 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections 27-6 and 27-7 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-6) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-6)

Sec. 27-6. Courses in physical education required; special activities.

(a) Pupils enrolled in the public schools, other than New Tech High at Zion-Benton East in Zion-Benton Township High School District 126, and State universities engaged in preparing teachers shall be required to engage daily during the school day, except on block scheduled days for those public schools engaged in block scheduling, in courses of physical education for such periods as are compatible with the optimum growth and developmental needs of individuals at the various age levels except when appropriate excuses are submitted to the school by a pupil's parent or guardian or by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 and except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section.

(a-5) Pupils enrolled in New Tech High at Zion-Benton East in Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 shall be required to engage in courses of physical education 3 days a week during the school day, within the school's modified block schedule, for such periods as are compatible with the optimum growth and developmental needs of individuals at the various age levels, except when appropriate excuses are submitted to the school by a pupil's parent or guardian or by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 and except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section. The school's pupils shall be required to document with their physical education course instructor 120 minutes of additional physical activity per week outside of the classroom, with the types of physical activity that qualify being determined by the school, except when appropriate excuses are submitted to the school by a pupil's parent or guardian or by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987.

(a-10) Special activities in physical education shall be provided for pupils whose physical or emotional condition, as determined by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, prevents their participation in the courses provided for normal children.

(b) A school board is authorized to excuse pupils enrolled in grades 11 and 12 from engaging in physical education courses if those pupils request to be excused for any of the following reasons: (1) for ongoing participation in an interscholastic athletic program; (2) to enroll in academic classes which are required for admission to an institution of higher learning, provided that failure to take such classes will result in the pupil being denied admission to the institution of his or her choice; or (3) to enroll in academic classes which are required for graduation from high school, provided that failure to take such classes will result in the pupil being unable to graduate. A school board may also excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 enrolled in a marching band program for credit from engaging in physical education courses if those pupils request to be excused for ongoing participation in such marching band program. In addition, a pupil in any of grades 3 through 12 who is eligible for special education may be excused if the pupil's parent or guardian agrees that the pupil must utilize the time set aside for physical education to receive special education support and services or, if there is no agreement, the individualized education program team for the pupil determines that the pupil must utilize the time set aside for physical education to receive special education support and services, which agreement or determination must be made a part of the individualized education program. However, a pupil requiring adapted physical education must receive that service in accordance with the individualized education program developed for the pupil. A school board may also excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 enrolled in a Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) program sponsored by the school district from engaging in physical education courses. School boards which choose to exercise this authority shall establish a policy to excuse pupils on an individual basis.

(c) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of Section 27-22.05.

(Source: P.A. 94-189, eff. 7-12-05; 94-198, eff. 1-1-06; 94-200, eff. 7-12-05; 94-1098, eff. 2-2-07; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/27-7) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-7)

Sec. 27-7. Physical education course of study. A physical education course of study shall include a developmentally planned and sequential curriculum that fosters the development of movement skills, enhances health-related fitness, increases students' knowledge, offers direct opportunities to learn how to work cooperatively in a group setting, and encourages healthy habits and attitudes for a healthy lifestyle. A physical education course of study shall provide students with an opportunity for an appropriate amount of daily physical activity. A physical education course of study must be part of the regular school curriculum and not extra-curricular in nature or organization.

The State Board of Education shall prepare and make available guidelines for the various grades and types of schools in order to make effective the purposes set forth in this section and the requirements provided in Section 27-6, and shall see that the general provisions and intent of Sections 27-5 to 27-9, inclusive, are enforced.

With respect to New Tech High at Zion-Benton East in Zion-Benton Township High School District 126, this Section is subject to subsection (a-5) of Section 27-6 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 94-189, eff. 7-12-05; 94-200, eff. 7-12-05.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2013.