SB1884 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 11205 NHT 21603 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB1884

Introduced 2/20/2009, by Sen. J. Bradley Burzynski

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-6

from Ch. 122, par. 27-6

Amends the School Code. Allows a school board to excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 who are in a dual credit/graduation program from engaging in physical education courses. Defines "dual credit/graduation program" to mean a program for pupils who wish to obtain an associate's degree at the same time that they graduate from high school. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

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 Section 27-6 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 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.

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. A school board may excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 who are in a dual credit/graduation program from engaging in physical education courses. "Dual credit/graduation program" means a program for pupils who wish to obtain an associate's degree at the same time that they graduate from high school. 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.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.