State law mandates that students in elementary school get forty minutes of physical education instruction each week (with an additional 90 minutes of physical activity such as recess each week). Students in a middle school setting must have the annual equivalent of forty minutes of physical education each week. The Physical Education and Health Grades K-8 standards stipulate what should be covered in each grade level. While the physical education standards should be covered in a PE class, the health-related standards may be incorporated into other subject areas as appropriate in elementary school. High school students are required to earn a half credit of health and a half credit of physical education in order to graduate. The health standards are contained in the Health and Wellness Grades 9-12 document. The physical education requirement can be met with Personal Fitness for Life (0.5 credits) or Physical Education and Leisure (1 credit). Recreational Sports and Activities (0.5 credits) can be used as a follow-up to either course, but state law only allows one full credit of physical education to count toward state graduation requirements.
Recommendations from the Arkansas Act 1298 of 2013 Task Force for the Prevention Through Education of Child Sexual Abuse
For more information, please contact:
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Learning Services
Four Capitol Mall, Room 305-B
Little Rock, AR 72201