Facts about Physical Education
When students receive effective PE they do better physically, mentally, and emotionally, which is good for kids and good for schools. Effective physical education has many benefits:
- Helps kids grow up at a healthier weight and reduces the risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes
- Improves sleeping patterns
- Allows kids to focus, perform, and behave better in class, leading to improved academic outcomes
- Teaches lifelong healthy habits that will help children grow into healthier adults
For more information about the positive impacts of physical education, download this fact sheet from the American Heart Association.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has clear physical education requirements for public schools. These include standards for instructional time and frequency, space, and personnel, as outlined in the chart below and in more detail on the NYSED website. National standards go even further: 150 minutes of physical education for elementary school children and 225 minutes for middle and high school students per week for the entire school year, taught by a certified teacher.
Many schools in New York City are failing to meet these standards. Better understanding the standards as well as what is being provided in your school, and schools across the city, will allow parents and advocates to call for change
New York State Physical Education Requirements
|
Grade Level |
Frequency | Duration | Instructors |
|
K-3 |
Daily | 120 minutes/week | Certified PE teachers or teachers under the direction and supervision of a certified PE teacher |
|
4-6 |
At least 3 times/week; if housed in a middle school, grades 5-6 can attend class 3 class periods/week in one semester and 2 class periods/week in the other semester |
120 minutes/week |
Certified PE teachers or teachers under the direction and supervision of a certified PE teacher; if housed in a middle school, grades 5-6 must be taught by a certified PE teacher |
|
7-12 |
3 class periods/week in one semester and 2 class periods/week in the other semester |
90 minutes/week |
Certified PE teachers only |
Note: recess, movement throughout the day, and after school sports or other activities do not qualify as physical education and should not be counted toward students’ required minutes.