SB0211eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0211 Engrossed LRB094 06306 NHT 36380 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 and State universities engaged in preparing teachers shall, as soon as practicable, be required to engage daily, during the school day, in courses of physical education for such periods as are compatible with the optimum growth and developmental development 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 school board may excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 if those pupils must utilize the time set aside for physical education to receive special education support and services. 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. 88-269; 89-155, eff. 7-19-95; 89-175, eff. 7-19-95; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96.)

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

Sec. 27-7. Physical education course of study. Purposes of courses in physical education and training - Courses of instruction. 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. Courses in physical education and training shall be for the following purposes:

1. to develop organic vigor;

2. to provide bodily and emotional poise;

3. to provide neuro-muscular training;

4. to prevent or correct certain postural defects;

5. to develop strength and endurance;

6. to develop desirable moral and social qualities;

7. to promote hygienic school and home life; and

8. to secure scientific supervision of the sanitation and safety of school buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields and equipment thereof.

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.

(Source: P.A. 90-372, eff. 7-1-98.)

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