SB1972 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 11448 NHT 42368 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SB1972

Introduced 2/25/2005, by Sen. Chris Lauzen

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-6

from Ch. 122, par. 27-6

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board may excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 from engaging in physical education courses if the pupil is getting substantial exercise from participating in an athletic activity outside of school and the parent or guardian of the pupil provides documentation of this fact. 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 - 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 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. 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 also excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 from engaging in physical education courses if the pupil is getting substantial exercise from participating in an athletic activity outside of school and the parent or guardian of the pupil provides documentation of this fact. 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.)

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