State policy does not specify a number of students per class or teacher-to-student ratio in physical education classes.
The physical education curriculum must be sequential and comprehensive for Grades K–12, aligned with the Rhode Island Physical Education Framework, and include developmentally appropriate learning standards, objectives, and assessments (216-RICR-20-10-4.8).
Students may participate in specially designed physical education as part of an IEP, and students acting as partners in these programs receive full credit for graduation requirements (RI Gen. Laws § 16-22-4.3). Recess, free play, and after-school activities cannot be used to replace physical education (216-RICR-20-10-4.5[G]).
Each school district must establish a health and wellness subcommittee to recommend policies on physical education and physical activity to promote student health (RI Gen. Laws § 16-21–28).
The regulations encourage each Local Education Agency (LEA) to ensure that the coherent and coordinated K–12 curriculum for physical education includes student assessments that address all standards and instructional objectives, including the appropriate use of fitness testing. There are no regulations for the use or impact of fitness assessments for grading (200-RICR-20-10-1.2).
Regulations do not explicitly mention requirements for physical education facilities or equipment in public or private schools.
Regulations do not explicitly address the provision of online physical education. There are no direct provisions, exceptions, or enabling mechanisms in state statute or administrative rule that permit or describe online or distance learning for physical education. Implementation of online physical education is neither expressly allowed nor directly prohibited and would be at the discretion of LEAs if all state standards and requirements are met.
Physical education teachers must hold appropriate PreK–12 certification per state educator licensing regulations. At the secondary level, teachers must be certified as health and physical educators, while elementary-level health instruction may be provided by certified elementary teachers. Educators are required to have a valid certification to teach adapted physical education (APE; 216-RICR- 20-10-4.5[D]; 200-RICR-20-20-1.9.5).
Specially designed physical education classes must be open to all students, provided they agree to serve as partners for students with an IEP. APE credit that aligns with standards and student IEPs count toward graduation credit (RI Gen. Laws § 16-22-4.3).
No specific funding provisions for physical education are mentioned.
Each school district must establish a school health and wellness subcommittee to develop policies addressing physical education, nutrition, and physical activity, with the goal of reducing obesity and promoting student and employee well-being (RI Gen. Laws § 16-21–28).
Public secondary school teachers shall be evaluated by their employer pursuant to the educator evaluation system approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and in accordance with Rhode Island law and applicable regulations (200-RICR-10-00-1.3).
Recent legislation allows students participating as partners in specially designed physical education programs to receive full credit toward graduation requirements (RI Gen. Laws § 16-22-4.3).
Regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to LEAs through mandated curriculum standards, required instructional time, and school health and wellness subcommittees. The regulations include enforcement provisions such as annual reporting, curriculum review by the RIDE, and accountability measures linked to district strategic plans. No specific penalties for noncompliance are mentioned.
For more details, call the Rhode Island Department of Education at (401) 222–4600, email rideinfo@ride.ri.gov, or go to 255 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903.