PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXEMPTION
In January of 2009 the CVCA Board of Trustees passed a resolution regarding a physical education exempt option for high school students that was initiated by the passage of Senate Bill 311. The CVCA policy took effect with the 2009-10 school year.
Click here for a printer-friendly version of this policy.
*Physical Education Exemption
In January of 2007 the Ohio Legislature passed Senate Bill 311 Provision (L).
Sec. 3313.603 (L) reads,
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, the board of education of each school district and the governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school may adopt a policy to excuse from the high school physical education requirement each student who, during high school, has participated in interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading for at least two full seasons. If the board or authority adopts such a policy, the board or authority shall not require the student to complete any physical education course as a condition to graduate. However, the student shall be required to complete one-half unit, consisting of at least sixty hours of instruction, in another course of study.
The CVCA Board of Trustees approved the following provision in January of 2009. This policy went into effect in the 2009-10 school year.
It is recommended that the board adopt a policy pursuant to Sec. 3313.603 (L) that will permit a CVCA student to fulfill the State of Ohio Department of Education physical education requirement by completing two full seasons of participation during high school in board-approved interscholastic athletics and/or marching band, including flag corps, and/or cheerleading.
Clarifications:
- “full seasons” means…full seasons! – Failure to complete the full season for any reason eliminates that season for the purpose of this option.
- The “full seasons” of participation may be in any of the approved activities, not necessarily the same activity.
- There is no provision to receive PE credit for participation in one semester of PE coupled with participation in a board-approved option. Either the student satisfactorily completes the one-half credit of PE in the traditional matter (2 classes) or completes participation in the board-approved option.
- Students who exercise this option do not receive PE credit.
- Students who exercise this option must complete an additional one-half credit in another course of study to replace the PE credit. (The minimum credits earned necessary for graduation is not reduced by one-half credit.)
- A student who plans to exercise this option must complete the “two full seasons” of participation no later than the end of his or her junior year. If a student fails to do so, he or she will be required to complete the one-half credit PE requirement during the senior year. Our policy requires that a student complete the “two full seasons” of participation no later than the end of his or her junior year, because if a student attempts to participate in a board-approved alternative activity in his or her senior year, a season-ending injury or some other circumstance may prohibit him or her from completing the “full season” and thereby be deficient the required PE credits for graduation. We will not permit a senior to be placed in this jeopardy.
- Students must be eligible to participate in interscholastic competition per OHSAA and CVCA policies.
Interscholastic Athletics and Cheerleading
To qualify for this exemption, ALL of the following conditions must be met:
- The student must complete the season/activity in question and participate in practices from the official start date. Participation must extend through all post-season play and functions such as awards banquets. If an athlete is injured during the season, completion of this requirement will be determined by a minimum of 60% participation in scheduled practices and interscholastic contests.
- The student must remain academically eligible and complete the entire season in good standing on the team.
Marching Band/Color Guard:
To qualify for this exemption, ALL of the following conditions must be met:
- Participate in 90% of all practices and 90% of all performances.
- Complete the entire marching season including all preseason and postseason practices and performances.
- Receive a grade no lower than a B.
The following notes will be included in the Band Handbook for further clarification of the PE Exemption Requirements.
- Attendance is defined as a student being present and participating/marching in a practice or performance.
- Three unexcused tardies will count as one absence.
- Only unexcused absences will affect band grades, but both unexcused and excused absences will affect PE credit eligibility.
- Field trips, emergencies, injuries, etc. all affect PE credit eligibility.
- 90% means students may miss approximately 6 practices and 1 performance and still receive credit.
- Students who leave after a halftime performance at a football game will be counted absent for that game for PE credit eligibility. (See handbook section on Post-Halftime Dismissal for clarification on excused vs. unexcused game dismissal.)
*Note: The physical education exemption may be achieved by participating in two full seasons of any combination of the following:
Interscholastic athletics
Marching band and/or color guard/flag corp
Cheerleading
