State policy does not specify a number of students per class or teacher-to-student ratio in physical education classes.
The regulations state that K–12 physical education programs must align with the SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards (S.D. Admin. R. 24:53:07:23).
No specific substitutions for physical education credits were mentioned.
No specific daily recess or physical activity policies are present in state policies.
The regulations do not provide explicit language requiring fitness assessments in schools.
Schools must provide physical education installations and facilities, but no specific guidance on equipment purchasing, usage, or storage was found (SDCL 13–51 A-1).
Regulations do not explicitly address the provision of online physical education. There are no direct provisions, exceptions, or enabling mechanisms in state code or administrative rules 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 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) if all state standards and requirements are met.
Physical education teachers must obtain certification by passing a state-designated pedagogy test and content test or holding a major in physical education. Adapted physical education (APE) instructors must meet additional endorsement requirements (S.D. Admin. R. 24:28:19:07; S.D. Admin. R. 24:28:23:05).
APE must be available for students with disabilities if prescribed in their IEP, and schools must ensure that students receive necessary services either directly or through arrangements with other programs (S.D. Admin. R. 24:05:28:08).
No specific funding provisions for physical education programs were found.
Each LEA must have a comprehensive plan that includes provisions for physical education services and physical activity programs for students with disabilities (S.D. Admin. R. 24:05:21:01). There are no specific wellness policies regarding broader student physical activity or nutrition beyond federal regulations.
There is no specific information regarding physical education teacher evaluations in the regulations.
No recent legislative updates or changes to physical education policies were explicitly stated in the regulations.
Regulations assign responsibility for physical education policy implementation to LEAs through curriculum standards, graduation requirements, and local comprehensive planning. The regulations include enforcement provisions such as mandated district policies and procedures, documentation and reporting requirements, and periodic monitoring or review by the Department of Education. They do not include specific penalties for noncompliance.
For more details, call the South Dakota Department of Education at (605) 773–3134, visit doe.sd.gov, or go to 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501.