For Grades 6–12, physical education classes may enroll up to 40 students per period, with a maximum daily teaching load of 240 students for physical education teachers. Health is taught separately, with 35 students per class/150 students per day (S.C. Code Regs. 43–232[III][B]; 43–234[VI][D][2]; 43-231[IV]).
The State Superintendent of Education supervises the administration of physical education programs and prescribes necessary courses of instruction. In secondary schools, the required physical education course must span two semesters, including a personal fitness and wellness component for one semester and a lifetime fitness component for the other (SC Code § 59-29-100).
Students may substitute physical education with a JROTC program or a marching band program that meets the South Carolina Physical Education Standards. Waivers may be granted for medical reasons or religious objections, provided the local school board approves the request. Dance taught by a specialist may satisfy one-quarter of required physical education minutes when aligned with standards (SC Code § 59-29-80; §59-10-30[A]–[B]).
Elementary schools must provide at least 30 minutes daily, adding up to 150 minutes of physical activity weekly, including recess and structured programs planned by a designated Physical Education Activity Director. Schools are encouraged to promote physical activity opportunities outside of physical education, such as before- and after-school fitness programs, recess, and classroom movement breaks (SC Code § 59-10-30; SC Code § 59-10-10).
Schools must administer the South Carolina Physical Education Assessment in Grades 2, 5, 8, and high school physical education courses to evaluate program effectiveness and adherence to state physical education standards. Schools with unsatisfactory scores must provide professional development for physical education teachers to improve instruction (SC Code § 59-10-50).
Each school district must ensure that schools have age-appropriate equipment and adequate facilities to support the physical education curriculum. The law mandates that school funds for facility improvements include physical education spaces but does not specify additional equipment storage requirements (SC Code § 59-10-60; SC Code § 59-144-30).
No specific language regarding online physical education courses was found in the regulations, but online courses in general may be used as a form of support service and must be included in the master scheduler.
Physical education teachers must hold appropriate certification, and all teacher training institutions in South Carolina must include physical education instruction in teacher preparation programs. No specific requirements for adapted physical education endorsements were found (SC Code § 59-29-90).
Students with disabilities must be provided with suitably modified physical education courses as determined by their abilities. Adaptations must align with their educational needs (SC Code § 59-29-80).
State funding is allocated for physical education facilities and instructional programs, with school districts responsible for implementation and compliance (SC Code § 59-144-30).
Each school district must establish a Coordinated School Health Advisory Council responsible for creating and monitoring a district-wide wellness policy. The policy must include provisions for physical activity, nutrition, and school health initiatives (SC Code § 59-10-330).
The Department of Education shall develop or adopt an assessment program to evaluate district and school health education programs. At a minimum, the assessment must be designed to determine program effectiveness and adherence to South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards (SC Code 59-10-320).
The recent emphasis on physical education includes fitness assessments at multiple grade levels and professional development requirements for schools with underperforming programs. The teacher-to-student ratio in elementary physical education classes has been gradually reduced to ensure smaller class sizes (SC Code § 59-10-50; SC Code § 59-10-20).
The regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to Local Education Agencies and include indirect state oversight through curriculum mandates and the South Carolina Physical Education Assessment Program. However, the regulations do not include specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties related to physical education or physical activity policy compliance.
For more details, call the South Carolina Department of Education at (803) 734–8500, email info@ed.sc.gov, or go to 1429 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201.