State policy does not specify a number of students per class or teacher-to-student ratio in physical education classes.
The curriculum must be comprehensive and standards-based, focusing on motor skills, fitness, personal responsibility, and the value of physical activity. It includes CPR training in Grades 9–12 if not otherwise covered in health education (COMAR 13 A.04.13.01[C][1–5], MD Code ED §7-205.2).
The state does not permit waivers for physical education graduation credits, including activities such as interscholastic sports, marching band, or JROTC (COMAR 13 A.04.13.01[G][2][a-d]).
Daily recess or structured physical activity outside of physical education is not explicitly required. Local school systems are encouraged to incorporate wellness activities, including physical fitness, within their Wellness Policy Implementation and Monitoring Plan to support student health goals. Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) bars withholding physical education as punishment unless the student is also removed from regular class as part of an in-school suspension (COMAR 13 A.04.13.01[G][2][d], MD Code ED 7-409[d]).
Local schools may conduct fitness assessments as part of annual wellness policy monitoring but are not mandated statewide (COMAR 13 A.04.13.01[E]).
Facilities for physical education in newly constructed or renovated schools must include gymnasiums, planning areas, and equipment storage. Waivers may be granted for design constraints such as zoning issues (MD Code ED 7-409[b][1–2]; COMAR 13 A.01.02.05[4]). Maryland’s facility regulations also specify minimum gym sizes and required physical education spaces by level and require site recreation/outdoor physical education facilities (COMAR 14.39.07.11; 14.39.07.06).
Regulations do not explicitly mention online physical education, but they include indirect provisions that may allow Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to deliver physical education through online instructional formats if aligned with state standards and approved curricula.
Physical education teachers must hold a Maryland teaching certificate and complete concussion education training every two years. Adapted physical education is required, but no specific endorsement to teach it is separately required (COMAR 13 A.06.08.04; MD Code ED 7-4B-02).
Students with disabilities must have equal access to physical education and athletic programs, with reasonable accommodations and adapted or allied sports provided as needed (MD Code ED 7-4B-02[a-b], COMAR 13 A.04.13.01[G][3]).
Local systems are encouraged to seek funding through partnerships and grants to enhance physical education programs. Advisory councils may secure additional funds to support state and local initiatives (MD Code ED 7-409[f][8]).
Each school system is required to develop and submit a Wellness Policy Implementation and Monitoring Plan, including goals, activities, and metrics for physical education and physical activity (MD Code ED 7-409[c][1–5]). Federal mandates for the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program participating schools also apply (7 C.F.R. §210.31).
The state regulations do not include specific guidelines for evaluating physical education teachers.
Recent regulations emphasize the importance of physical education facilities, CPR training, and ensuring equity in program access for students with disabilities (COMAR 13 A.04.13.01[A][1]; MD Code ED 7-4B-02).
Regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to LEAs through curriculum standards and graduation requirements. The regulations include enforcement provisions, such as required local wellness policies, school-level implementation of physical activity strategies, and monitoring by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) as part of district accountability and reporting structures. MSDE also monitors CPR/AED implementation statewide. They do not include specific penalties for noncompliance.
For more details, call the Maryland State Department of Education at (410) 767-0100, email msdeinfo.msde@ maryland.gov, or go to 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.