Ohio students could use club sports for PE credit

In Ohio, the school day could make more room for movement. A House bill would let students use club sports or other athletic activity to fulfill part of the high school physical education (PE) requirement, instead of forcing every student to get all of that credit inside a traditional gym class.

The proposal defines club sports to include a school-sanctioned sport not regulated by an interscholastic governing group, as well as youth sports organizations. It also defines other athletic activity as a sport or physical activity taught by an instructor outside school.

Recess gets a clearer place

For younger students, the bill says morning and afternoon recess periods of not more than 15 minutes each would apply to pupils in kindergarten through grade six, with grades seven and eight included in the same recess language.

The measure says the General Assembly recognizes the importance of recess and physical activity for students’ mental, physical, behavioral, emotional and academic well-being. It also encourages school districts to create more recess or movement opportunities when classroom instructional requirements can still be met. The Department of Education and Workforce could share best practices, examples from districts that already make room for more movement, and information about voluntary programs, statewide initiatives and partnerships that support student physical education and well-being.