Montana

Amount of Required Physical Education

• Elementary School (K–5): Students are required to participate in health enhancement programs, including physical education, tailored to meet state content standards. Specific weekly time allocations are not mandated (Mont. Admin. R. 10.53.710).
• Middle School (6–8): Programs must offer health enhancement instruction, integrating physical and health education standards, and one half unit of health and physical education each year (Mont. Admin. R. 10.55.902[4][b][v], [3][d][v]).
• High School (9–12): Students are required to complete one unit of combined health and physical education for graduation. The curriculum must include fitness, motor skills, and knowledge for lifelong physical activity (Mont. Admin. R. 10.55.904).

Physical Education Class Size

State policy does not specify number of students per class or teacher-to-student ratio in physical education classes, instead, class size must be maintained in accordance with other curriculum areas (Mont. Admin. R. 10.55.1301[a][i]).

Physical Education Standards and Curriculum

The curriculum for physical education must align with Montana’s Content Standards, focusing on motor skills, fitness principles, and responsible behavior (Mont. Admin. R. 10.53.710).

Substitutions and Waivers

Substitutions for physical education credit are not specifically addressed in regulations.

Physical Activity Policies

Montana does not mandate daily recess but encourages the integration of physical activity into the school day. Schools are advised to promote safe and inclusive environments for physical activity (Mont. Admin. R. 10.55.1301).

Fitness Assessments

There are no required statewide fitness assessments for students, but schools may use fitness assessment–related warm-ups and cool-downs (Mont. Admin. R. 10.53.716).

Facilities and Equipment

Schools are required to provide safe and adequate facilities and equipment for physical education. Instruction should emphasize safe use of equipment and facilities. These must align with the state’s educational standards and meet safety guidelines (Mont. Admin. R. 10.55.1301; Mont. Admin. R. 10.53.718).

Online Physical Education Courses

Regulations do not explicitly mention online physical education, but they include indirect provisions that allow distance or technology-based instruction aligned with content standards, which may permit Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to offer physical education through online formats (ARM 10.55.602[13], [52]).

Teacher Certification

Physical education teachers must hold a valid Montana teaching license with endorsements in physical education (Mont. Admin. R. 10.57.425, 10.57.412[2]).

Inclusion and Equity

Students with disabilities must receive adapted physical education as outlined in their IEP. Instruction must ensure equitable access as well as gender and cultural inclusivity (Mont. Admin. R. 24.9.1006(1)–(4), Mont. Code 20-7-401).

Funding and Administration

Local districts are responsible for funding physical education programs. Resources may be allocated through district budgets and community partnerships (Mont. Admin. R. 10.55.904).

Local Wellness Policies

Federal regulation requires school districts participating in the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program to implement local wellness policies that incorporate healthy lifestyle goals and promote student health (7 C.F.R. §210.31).

Teacher Evaluations

Regulations do not specify evaluation criteria specifically for physical education teachers.

Enforcement and Accountability

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 board oversight, and accreditation reviews by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. They do not include specific penalties for noncompliance (Mont. Code 20-3-103[2]).

Contact Information

For more details, call the Montana Office of Public Instruction at (406) 444–3095, email opiinfo@mt.gov, or go to 1227 11th Avenue, Helena, MT 59601.