Enrollment in physical education must be limited to the maximums prescribed by the school’s accrediting agency (SACS/Cognia).
The 2019 Alabama Course of Study focuses on creating physically literate individuals through a sequential, standards-based curriculum that aligns with the SHAPE America National Standards. It outlines grade-specific objectives emphasizing motor skills, fitness knowledge, and lifelong health (Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-3-.36).
Physical education substitutions are prohibited for Grades K–8, ensuring compliance with required instructional minutes (Code of Alabama, §16-40-1). High school physical education courses, such as Beginning Kinesiology, cannot be replaced by extracurricular activities.
Alabama does not mandate a daily general-activity minute requirement for K–12. Physical activity (including recess) may not substitute for physical education, and ACOS identifies withholding recess as punishment as an inappropriate practice (Code of Alabama, §16-40-1).
The Alabama Physical Fitness Assessment (APFA) is required annually for students in Grades 2–12, focusing on health-related fitness components. Schools must report APFA results to the State Department of Education (Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-1-.02).
Equitable facilities and equipment are required to support inclusive and developmentally appropriate physical education. Schools must provide necessary accommodations, including assistive technology, for students with disabilities (Code of Alabama, §16-40-1).
Under Ala. Code §16-46 A-2, districts may offer virtual programs; traditional physical education requirements may be waived to the extent they conflict with virtual delivery. Coursework must include required ACOS content and be taught by properly certified teachers.
Certified physical education teachers must hold Grades PreK–12 certification, with training in classroom management (Ala. Admin. Code 290-3-3-.33, 290-3-3-.24, and 290-3-1-.02[15]2).
Physical education programs must provide accommodations for students with disabilities through IEPs or Section 504 plans, promoting access to the general curriculum in compliance with IDEA. Teachers are required to collaborate to ensure equitable participation in physical education (Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-1-.02[1][d] + Chapter 290-8-9).
Local boards of education are responsible for funding physical education programs, ensuring resources meet state standards. Administrators must support professional development and oversee curriculum implementation (Code of Alabama, §16-40-1).
Districts maintain and periodically assess a federally required Local School Wellness Policy (USDA 7 C.F.R. §210.31). Aligned with the WSCC model, local wellness policies integrate physical education with broader health initiatives. Emphasis is placed on holistic student development, including physical, mental, and emotional health.
Alabama does not prescribe physical education–specific teacher-evaluation criteria in the Administrative Code. Districts use the state’s evaluation framework; SHAPE America tools may be used locally at discretion (Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-3-.01).
The 2019 Course of Study emphasizes physical literacy, the FITT principle, and expanded support for adapted physical education. New guidelines also integrate technology and differentiated instruction for diverse student needs (Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-3-.36).
Regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to Local Education Agencies and include indirect state oversight through general curriculum and graduation requirements. The regulations do not include specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties related to physical education or physical activity policy compliance. The state lacks specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties related to physical education policy compliance, relying instead on general educational accountability frameworks.
For more details, call the Alabama State Department of Education, Instructional Services Division, at (334) 694–4768 or go to 3345 Gordon Persons Building, Montgomery, AL.