Health and Physical Education

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Health and Physical education instruction for students should be designed to strategically increase students’ health and physical literacy.

The Health Education Framework for California Public Schools defines health-literate students as those who understand basic health information, directions, and services needed to make informed personal health decisions which may also contribute to healthier communities. Health-literate and health-informed students are:

Critical thinkers and problem-solvers when confronting health issues
Self-directed learners who have the competence and skills to use basic health information and services in health-enhancing way
Effective communicators who organize and convey beliefs, ideas, and information about health issues, translating their knowledge to applied practices
Responsible and productive citizens who help ensure that their community is kept healthy, safe, and secure

Physical literacy describes the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. (Margaret Whitehead, 2014 as cited by the International Physical Literacy Association, 2015.)

It is critical that learning experiences are structured to develop meaningful engagement that empowers students with the knowledge, skills, behaviors, attitudes and motivation to attain and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Services Available

SDCOE Professional Learning
Customized Professional Learning
Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) Support
Ed Code Compliance Consultation on Physical Fitness Testing and California Healthy Youth Act
Strategic Planning and Program Updates

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April 2023

SDCOE Professional Learning Calendar

Want to stay in-the-know? Check out our Health and Physical Education newsletter.

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More to Explore

San Diego County K-12 Health Grant

Professional Learning and Networking Opportunities

Networking
Professional Development

Health and Physical Education Hangouts

Stop by to hear the latest national, state and local updates and network with other health and physical educators. Every second Wednesday of each month from 3 to 4 p.m.

Professional Development

Physical Literacy Institute

Strategically deliver equitable and meaningful instruction designed to increase the physical literacy of all students by incorporating social emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching and more.

Professional Development

Health Education Framework: Sessions 1-4

This four-session series, based on the NEW California Health Education Framework, is designed to build students’ knowledge and skills in the six content areas of Health Education.

Networking
Professional Development

SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting

District and site leaders are invited to a collaborative conversation on national/state/local updates, professional learning, trends, best practices, resources and more.

Health Education Framework Standards-Based Lesson Planning

Join us as we explain and utilize CDE’s Standards Based Instructional Design Process Template. This conversation will help educators plan skills-based health education learning for students designed to strategically build students’ physical literacy.

2022-23 Health and Physical Education Updates

Physical education minute requirements are back for 2021-22

All physical education minute requirements are back for the 2021-22 school year! Requirements are applicable to students who are engaged in virtual, hybrid, or in-person learning. California Ed Code guarantees:

Pupils in grades 1 to 6 receive physical education instruction for a total period of time not less than 200 minutes each 10 school days. (California Education Code [EC] sections 33352[b][1], 51210[a][7], 51210.1[a][1][A])
Pupils in grades 7-12 receive physical education instruction for a total period of time not less than 400 minutes each 10 school days. (EC sections 51222[a], 33352[b][2])

Compliance with minute requirements will continue to be part of the Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) process conducted by the Department of Education (CDE).

FITNESSGRAM Update: Critical conversations need to take place in your district

The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) is not currently waived for the 2021-22 school year. While it is possible that CDE will have further communication regarding the status of the PFT, it is important that teachers and administrators make local decisions related to the FITNESSGRAM that consider the following:

FITNESSGRAM may not be accessible for students with disabilities or students who identify with a gender that's different than what's assigned at birth.
There is not currently standardized training or protocols to eliminate body shaming or bullying associated with aspects of PFT administration.

While CDE is convening a statewide committee to determine next steps for PFT, it is important that districts and sites determine the best course of action for their student community.

Recent reopening guidance

Guidance depends on level of community transmission, vaccination rates and outbreaks and is likely to fluctuate as we head back to school. The following reflects most recent guidance as of 8/3/21:

What every district and site should know about Independent Study Physical Education

As your district/site plans physical education programming, it is critical that they understand the following about Independent Student Physical Education (ISPE).

Independent Study is not an alternative curriculum. It is an alternative to classroom instruction that is consistent with the district's course of study.
Instruction for ISPE needs to be delivered by an appropriately credentialed teacher. It cannot be administered by a coach or outside organization.
ISPE needs to provide at least 200 minutes of instruction in physical education every 10 school days to pupils in grades 1-6 and 400 minutes of instruction every 10 school days to pupils in grades 7-12.
Every high school student needs to complete a developmental course of study and assessment of student progress in the eight required content areas
State fitness testing requirements need to be addressed.

Districts and sites should note that the above requirements are all part of CDE's Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) process and are not waived. It is up to every district and site to maintain compliance with Ed Code.

Health and Physical Education Hangouts have resumed

The second Wednesday of every month, SDCOE will host a hangout for health and physical educators from 3 to 4 p.m. Join conversations via Zoom to discuss:

Critical information related to health and physical education
Sharing of best practices
Opportunity to ask questions and connect with colleagues

Health and Physical Education State Standards

Physical Education

Elementary and Middle School

The five overarching model content standards for elementary and middle school students are as follows:

Standard 1: Students demonstrate the motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
Standard 2: Students demonstrate knowledge of movement concepts, principles, and strategies that apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.
Standard 3: Students assess and maintain a level of physical fitness to improve health and performance.
Standard 4: Students demonstrate knowledge of physical fitness concepts, principles, and strategies to improve health and performance.
Standard 5: Students demonstrate and utilize knowledge of psychological and sociological concepts, principles, and strategies that apply to the learning and performance of physical activity.

High School

For high school youths the three overarching content standards are as follows:

Standard 1: Students demonstrate knowledge of and competency in motor skills, movement patterns, and strategies needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
Standard 2: Students achieve a level of physical fitness for health and performance while demonstrating knowledge of fitness concepts, principles, and strategies.
Standard 3: Students demonstrate knowledge of psychological and sociological concepts, principles, and strategies that apply to the learning and performance of physical activity.

Physical Education Model Content Standards (PDF)

Physical Education Framework

SHAPE America Standards and Grade Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education

Health

Health Education has eight standards for each of the following six content areas:

Nutrition and Physical Activity
Growth, Development and Sexual Health
Injury Prevention and Safety
Alcohol, tobacco and Other Drugs
Mental, Emotional and Social Health
Personal and Community Health

Kindergarten through Grade 12

Standard 1: Essential Health Concepts — All students will comprehend essential concepts related to enhancing health.
Standard 2: Analyzing Health Influences — All students will demonstrate the ability to analyze internal and external influences that affect health.
Standard 3: Accessing Valid Health Information — All students will demonstrate the ability to access and analyze health information, products, and services.
Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication — All students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.
Standard 5: Decision Making — All students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
Standard 6: Goal Setting — All students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.
Standard 7: Practice Health-Enhancing Behaviors — All Students will demonstrate the ability to practice behaviors that reduce risk and promote health.
Standard 8: Health Promotion — All students will demonstrate the ability to promote and support personal, family, and community health.

Health Model Content Standards (PDF)

Health Education Framework

Research, Articles and Resources

Research

Professional Organizations

San Diego CAHPERD 2022 Award Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award: Anne Rosser
Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year: Austin Olson (San Dieguito Union High School District)
Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year: Robbie DePerro (San Diego Unified School District)
Community Partner of the Year: Deirdre Kleske (San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency)
Exemplary Contribution to Adapted Physical Education: Becky Paradise (San Diego Unified)
Exemplary Contribution to Secondary Physical Education: Dr Kim Butler (Sweetwter Union High School District)
Exemplary Contribution to Elementary Physical Education: Lynn Barnes-Wallace (San Diego Unified School District)
New Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year: Melissa Murray (Chula Vista Elementary School District)
New Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year: Katie Freitas (San Dieguito Union High School District)
New Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year: Drew Ramsay (Albert Einstein Academy Elementary Charter School)
SHAPE America Southwest District Teacher of the Year: Trent Suzuki (Escondido Union Elementary School District)

Articles

Resources

Health Education Resources

Physical Education Resources

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Equity and Access

SDCOE Equity Blueprint Webpage
SDCOE Equity Services and Support Webpage
California Department of Education: Supporting LGBTQ+ Students Webpage
National Equity Project: Libertory Design Mindsets (PDF)
Zeretta Hammond: Ready for Rigor - A Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching (PDF)

Associations

Presidential Youth Fitness

Legislative Updates

Please review the California Department of Education's Physical Education FAQs for specific information about COVID, credentialing, required coursework, grading, independent study, exemptions, environmental factors, coaches, athletic insurance, aquatic instruction, dressing/lockers, charter schools, the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), pupil fees, uniform complain procedures and more!

CDE Physical Education FAQs

San Diego CAHPERD Unit

The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) is a nonprofit group started in 1930 to promote healthful lifestyles though quality education. San Diego Unit 47-412 meets two or three times a year. The meetings are open to the public and to educators who aren't a member of the statewide organization.

Upcoming Meeting Dates

San Diego Social at 2022 CAHPERD State Conference: March 3-5 (LAX Marriot)
End of Year Awards/Social: TBD

San Diego Unit CAHPERD President

Bailee Holt-Sandsmark teaches physical education and is the athletic director at Canyon Crest Academy in the San Dieguito Union High School District. Contact her at bailee.holtsandsmark@sduhsd.net.

Teacher and Program of the Year Applications

Teacher and Program of the Year awards are given out at the unit's end-of-year banquet. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2022. For more information about the awards, contact Paige Metz.

Health and Physical Education Newsletter Archive

main contacts

Paige Metz

Coordinator, Instr & Curr Cont

School: 858-295-8868

Amber Baldwin

Administrative Assistant I

School: 858-298-2007