A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

May 5, 2008

TO:   THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED

SUBJECT:   Middle School Physical Activity for the 2008-2009 School Year

The purpose of this letter is to clarify physical activity requirements for students in grades Kindergarten - eight.  Currently, students below grade six are required to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily or at least 135 minutes weekly throughout the school year as part of the district’s physical education curriculum or through structured activity during daily recess (TEC §28.002(l)).

In 2007, Senate Bill (SB) 530 (80th Texas Legislature) amended Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.002 (l) by adding criteria for physical activity in the middle school grades.  Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, students in grades six through eight are required to participate in at least 30 minutes of daily moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least four semesters. Traditionally, new curriculum requirements begin with an entering class of students.  Therefore, students enrolled in grade six during 2008-2009 are expected to have completed four semesters of structured physical activity by the end of their eighth grade year.

It is not anticipated that students entering grade eight in the 2008-2009 school year will have completed the four semesters of moderate or vigorous physical activity by the end of that year.  However, it is reasonable to anticipate that schools will continue to offer, to the extent feasible, 30 minutes of physical activity to students in grades seven and eight during the 2008-2009 school year as specified in TEC §28.002(l). Schools are  authorized to require a student enrolled in a grade level for which the district uses block scheduling to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 225 minutes during each two school week period.

If you have questions regarding middle school physical activity standards or curriculum, please contact Phyllis Simpson, Director of Health and Physical Education, at (512) 463-9581, or phyllis.simpson@tea.state.tx.us.

Sincerely,

                                 
Anita Givens
Deputy Associate Commissioner
Standards and Alignment