A. As used in this section:

(1) "eligible students" means students in kindergarten through grade six in a public school classified by the department as an elementary school; and

(2) "physical education" includes programs of education through which students participate in activities related to fitness education and assessment; active games and sports; and development of physical capabilities such as motor skills, strength and coordination.

B. Elementary physical education programs that serve eligible students are eligible for funding if those programs meet academic content and performance standards for elementary physical education programs.

C. In granting approval for funding of elementary physical education programs, the department shall provide that programs are first implemented in public schools that have the highest proportion of students most in need based on the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-fee lunch or grade-level schools that serve an entire school district and in public schools with available space. If the department determines that an elementary physical education program is not meeting the academic content and performance standards for elementary physical education programs, the department shall notify the school district that the public school's failure to meet the academic content and performance standards will result in the cessation of funding for the following school year. The department shall compile the program results submitted by the school districts each year and make an annual report to the legislative education study committee and the legislature.

D. An elementary physical education program that receives state financial support shall:

(1) provide for the physical education needs of students defined in this section; and

(2) use teachers with a license endorsement for physical education. The department shall annually determine the programs and the consequent number of students in elementary physical education that will receive state financial support in accordance with funding available in each school year.

History: Laws 2007, ch. 348, § 3; 2017, ch. 65, § 2.

The 2017 amendment, effective June 16, 2017, removed the requirement that public schools submit an elementary physical education program plan to the public education department; in Subsection D, deleted "As they become eligible for elementary physical education program funding, public schools shall submit to the department their elementary physical education program plans that meet academic content and performance standards and other guidelines of the department. At a minimum, the plan shall include the elementary physical education program being taught and an evaluation component. To be eligible for state financial support, an elementary physical education program" and added "An elementary physical education program that receives state financial support"; and added the language from former Subsection E to Subsection D.