State policy does not specify a number of students per class or teacher-to-student ratio in physical education classes.
The curriculum must include a comprehensive approach to promoting motor skills, fitness, and health education. Instruction should align with statewide standards and may incorporate elements such as gymnastics, calisthenics, and lifetime physical activities (Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 71, Sec. 1, Mass. Gen. Laws § 69:1D).
Waivers are allowed for students whose participation in physical education is deemed medically injurious by a licensed physician or if their parent or guardian opposes on religious grounds. No substitutions for required physical education are explicitly stated. Students may also be exempted from certain health education subjects due to religious beliefs (Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 71, Sec. 1).
Early education and childcare centers are required to provide at least 60 minutes of physical activity in full-day programs (Mass. Code Regs. 7.06 [1][b] 5); however, no state mandates are in place to require recess or any other physical activity opportunities in schools for Grades K–12.
There are no statewide mandates for conducting fitness assessments in the regulations; however, districts must run local assessment systems (health and physical education included; Ch. 127).
School committees must provide appropriate facilities, apparatus, and equipment to support physical education programs. These facilities may include gymnasiums, fields, and other necessary resources (Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 71, Sec. 47).
Massachusetts regulations do not address online physical education courses.
Physical education teachers must hold a valid teaching license issued by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Certification in adapted physical education (APE) is required to provide services to students with disabilities (603 Mass. Code Regs. CMR 7.04; 603 CMR 10.07[6][c], [e]).
All students must have equal opportunities to participate in physical education regardless of gender, race, or disability. APE is provided as required by IEPs (603 Mass. Code Regs. 26.05[3]).
Cities and towns may appropriate funds for the organization and administration of physical education, including hiring coaches and providing equipment. Additional funding may come through grants and local appropriations for student wellness initiatives (Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 71, Sec. 47).
Each school district must establish a School Wellness Advisory Committee to promote student health, including physical education. These committees must meet at least four times annually to review wellness policies and set goals (105 Mass. Code Regs. 215.100[A][1–6]). Federal mandates for National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program participating schools also apply (7 C.F.R. §210.31).
No specific requirements for evaluating physical education teachers were found in state regulations.
Recent updates emphasize the importance of School Wellness Advisory Committees and the inclusion of APE in meeting state standards (105 Mass. Code Regs. 215.100[A][1–6]).
Regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to Local Education Agencies through curriculum standards. The regulations include enforcement provisions such as required local wellness policies, school committee oversight of physical activity programming, and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education monitoring through coordinated program reviews. They do not include specific penalties for noncompliance.
For more details, call the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at (781) 338–3000, email desemail@mass.gov, or go to 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148.