2021 College and Career-Ready Physical Education Standards

Physical education is part of the school experience of South Carolina students. Physical education provides students with important opportunities for healthy activities and play. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) recommends that schools provide 150 minutes of instructional physical education for elementary school children, and 225 minutes for middle and high school students per week for the entire school year.

Grades K-5 Time Requirements

The time requirements for physical education in grades K-5 are outlined in the 2005 Students Health and Fitness Act. Students must have 90 minutes of Physical Education and 60 minutes of planned physical activity per week.

Middle Grades Time Requirements

For middle grades, physical education is one of the curriculum programs that must be included in instruction along with a list of other core subject areas. The time allowed for each curricula area is determined by each local school district. Please refer to State Board of Education Regulation 43-232.

High School Time Requirements

Students must pass at least one Carnegie unit of physical education to include one semester of personal fitness and another semester in lifetime fitness. Exemption applies to students in Junior ROTC, approved Marching Band courses, and for students exempted because participation will jeopardize the student’s health and well-being or for religious reasons. Please refer to South Carolina Code of Laws Section 59-29-80