State policy does not specify a number of students per class or teacher-to-student ratio in physical education classes.
Physical education curricula must align with the Ohio Learning Standards for Physical Education set by NASPE, focusing on physical fitness, motor skill development, and lifelong wellness. Schools must integrate benchmarks and grade-level indicators as outlined in the state standards (Ohio Rev. Code § 3301.079[A][3]).
High school students may substitute participation in athletics, marching band, cheerleading, or JROTC for the physical education requirement, but they must complete an additional one half unit in another course of study. No waivers for medical conditions or other exemptions are explicitly mentioned (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.603[L]).
Ohio’s voluntary pilot program encourages daily physical activity for students, with a minimum of 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week, excluding recess. Schools must annually report implementation strategies and associated costs to the Department of Education (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.6016[A]-[F]).
School districts must assess students’ physical fitness levels as part of the curriculum. Data on students’ fitness and success in meeting state benchmarks is reported on school district report cards but does not affect performance ratings (Ohio Rev. Code § 3302.032[A]-[B]).
Schools are required to provide safe, adequate facilities and age-appropriate equipment to support physical education programs. Equipment must be maintained and securely stored to ensure safety and functionality (Ohio Admin. Code § 3301–51- 09[J][1–3, 9]; Ohio Admin. Code 5122–30-30).
Regulations do not explicitly address the provision of online physical education. However, state law allows for physical education credit to be earned through alternative means, including distance learning or online coursework, provided these courses meet state standards and are approved by Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Implementation is at district discretion and must comply with all curriculum requirements (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.603).
Physical education teachers must hold a valid Ohio teaching license with a physical education endorsement. Teachers for adapted physical education must meet additional requirements as specified for students with disabilities (Ohio Rev. Code § 3319.076).
Specially designed physical education must be provided for students with disabilities if required in their IEP. Students in separate facilities must still receive appropriate physical education services (Ohio Admin. Code § 3301–51-02[I][1]–[4]).
Districts are allowed to participate in a pilot program if they are responsible for funding and implementing physical education programs in compliance with state standards. Reporting requirements include annual updates on fitness assessments and physical activity programs (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.6016).
Schools must develop wellness policies that promote physical activity and nutrition in alignment with state and federal health goals. Specific requirements for the content of these policies are not detailed in regulations (Ohio Rev. Code § 204, Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, §3302.032[A][2]).
No specific criteria for evaluating physical educators are detailed in the regulations.
Recent updates emphasize the inclusion of fitness data in school district report cards and provisions for substituting physical education credits with approved activities like sports and JROTC (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.603).
Regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to LEAs through curriculum standards and graduation requirements. The regulations include enforcement provisions such as mandated annual reporting on physical activity implementation and compliance with physical education benchmarks, monitoring by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and inclusion of compliance measures on school report cards. They do not include specific penalties for noncompliance.
For more details, call the Ohio Department of Education at (877) 644–6338, visit www.education.ohio.gov, or go to 25 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215.