State policy does not specify a number of students per class or teacher-to-student ratio in physical education classes.
Physical education must align with Indiana’s state standards, focusing on motor skills, fitness, and lifetime physical activity. The curriculum includes both physical education I and II for high school students (511 Ind. Admin. Code 6–7.1-4[b][6]).
Schools may waive physical education as a graduation requirement on an individual basis (511 IAC 11-6-2). Military experience may be recognized up to four credits—maximum two credits in physical education and two credits in Health/Safety—per the state’s “Military Experience” rule (511 IAC 6–7.1-9). District-approved athletics/activities credits must follow diploma-rule limits.
Elementary students must have daily physical activity, which may include recess, and schools may provide alternative activities in inclement weather (Ind. Code § 20-30-5-7.5).
No statewide fitness assessment requirements are noted in the regulations.
The Indiana State Board of Education does not include explicit language detailing requirements for maintaining, using, or ensuring the safety of physical education facilities and equipment; however, state law directs the Board to adopt non-binding guidelines for school sites and facilities, explicitly including athletics and physical education space (Ind. Code 20-19-2-12).
Regulations do not explicitly mention online physical education, but they include provisions for remote instructional delivery that could enable physical education to be offered online at the discretion of Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
Physical education teachers must meet Indiana licensure requirements, including subject-specific training and, where applicable, specific certification for regular and adapted physical education (APE; 515 Ind. Admin. Code 8-1-29.1; 515 Ind. Admin. Code 8-1-8).
Schools must ensure that students with disabilities have access to general or APE as outlined in their IEP or Section 504 plan. Physical education must be provided by a general physical education teacher or a teacher specially licensed in APE, as appropriate to the student’s IEP; students participate with peers in the least restrictive environment (511 Ind. Admin. Code 7-42-10[3]).
Regulations encourage schools to use local advisory councils to improve wellness programs and physical activity initiatives. State agencies provide technical assistance, but no direct funding mechanisms for physical education programs are noted (Ind. Code § 20-26-9-18).
Each school board may establish a School Health Advisory Council to review and recommend changes to wellness policies, including those addressing physical activity (Ind. Code § 20-26-9-18). The requirement to adopt/implement a Local Wellness Policy applies to LEAs participating in the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program under 7 C.F.R. § 210.31.
No specific provisions for evaluating physical education teachers are included in state regulations.
Recent updates emphasize the use of advisory councils to enhance local wellness policies and provide daily physical activity for elementary students (Ind. Code § 20-30-5-7.5).
Regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to LEAs through curriculum standards and graduation requirements. Regulations include enforcement provisions such as mandatory school wellness policies, required school board reporting on policy implementation, and state oversight of local wellness efforts and do not include specific noncompliance penalties.
For more details, call the Indiana Department of Education at (317) 232–6610, email webmaster@doe.in.gov, or go to South Tower, 115 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.