Physical Education Updates

(As of 12-11-2020 - Note that this information may constantly be updated and/or amended based on any new information that comes available.)

• NYSED's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webpage 
• Recent News from NYSED​
• Feeling anxiety amid a global pandemic is normal and natural for everyone. As the adults, it's critical that we take care of our own mental and physical health, and that will help us to better support our young people. NYSED has compiled numerous resources offering guidance for self-care as well as strategies for talking about COVID-19 honestly and effectively with young people.​
  • Resources for Mental Health and Talking to Young People About COVID-19

​CPR Exemption

• Required Hands Only CPR-2020 graduating seniors exempt during COVID 19 Crisis
  • Reference Section 100.2(c)(11) of Commissioner's Regulations Hands Only CPR requirement exemption for graduating seniors due to the COVID-19 Crisis

Learning Resources

• Continuity of Learning
  • Digital Content Resources
  • PBS Learning Material
  • NYSAHPERD Resources
  • SHAPE Resources

Reopening Resources

• SHAPE Re-entry K-12 School Considerations Information
• CDC Re-entry information
• Reopening Schools Task Force

1. Good News!  New York State Physical Education Learning Standards have been approved by the NYSED Board of Regents (March 2, 2020)

• Collaboration between NYSAHPERD and multiple stakeholders with SED.
• The NYS Physical Education Learning Standards were approved unanimously by the NYSED BOR on March 2, 2020.
• Summary of the NYS Physical Education Learning Standards (2020) revision process
• *Note that we are moving forward with Implementation Timeline process and activities

2. I Can Do It! A Physical Activity Program for K-12 Students with Disabilities (2019-2020)

• The I Can Do It! Program (ICDI), released through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (Administration for Community Living), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, is a voluntary school-based physical activity program designed to provide access, facilitate, and encourage opportunities for students with disabilities to be physically active for 60 minutes a day.  This can be accomplished by accumulating the 60 minutes through physical education, adapted physical education, recess, classroom physical activity breaks, active transport to and from school, and extracurricular activities, including a variety of club and sport activities.
• For additional information, or to get started, please contact Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Program Manager, at Jayne.Greenberg@hhs.gov, or 202 768-3557.

3. Residential Facility or Home Operated or Supervised by any State Agency Program - Physical Education Credit Amendment (January 2020)

• The Board of Regents adopted regulatory changes in Section 100.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of education impacting the Physical Education for a diploma and transfer credits for students earning credit in a residential facility or home operated or supervised by any state agency educational program pursuant to Sections 112 and 3202(7) of the Education Law and parts 116 and 118 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. (January 30, 2020)
  • Reference the Proposed Amendment to Section 100.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to Implement Provisions Relating to the Physical Education Requirements for a Diploma and Transfer Credits for Students Earning Credit in an Educational Program Pursuant to Sections 112 and 3202(7) of the Education Law and Parts 116 or 118 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of the Education
• Numerous meetings with leaders and staff from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Division of Corrections and Community Services (DOCCS), and non-secure and secure detention facilities were held.
• Concerned issues raised was the failure of school districts to award credit for schoolwork completed by students while detained, placed, or incarcerated.
• Due to the Civil Service titles and the unique needs and nature of the education programs offered by juvenile and criminal justice system facilities, students receive extensive physical education, but the classes are taught by recreational specialists, who may or may not be certified physical education teachers. When the students transfer back to high school, they find themselves severely under credited in physical education, notwithstanding the fact that they have spent hours in physical education classes in these facilities.
• Revision to §100.5(d)(5) of Commissioner’s Regulations provides these students with the same exemption currently provided to students transferring from another state and students of military families, who transfer into a registered New York State high school from another state, to allow such students to be exempt from the required two units of credit requirement in physical education to meet the diploma requirements. Instead, such students shall be required to enroll in physical education courses every semester they are in a registered New York State high school and shall earn 1/4 unit of credit for each semester of physical education.
• Amendment allows students who have earned the required number of credits in physical education to meet the diploma requirements but may need more than eight semesters to graduate due to other course or assessment deficiencies, to be permitted to stop enrolling in physical education courses. Students often need to return beyond their senior year to make up a failed course or attend preparatory sessions to pass failed assessments, and the current regulation requires these students to enroll in physical education courses for those semesters as well, even though they have met the required number of diploma credits for graduation. The proposed amendment will eliminate this requirement.

4. Unified Sports "Inclusive Athletic Activities" Extended Eligibility

• Reference Proposed Amendment of Sections 135.1 and 135.4 of the Commissioner’s Regulations Relating to Extended Eligibility for Participation in Inclusive Athletic Activities
• Emergency rule became effective December 10, 2019.
• Because “unified sports” is actually a trademarked name, the emergency rule will amend the program name to “inclusive athletic activities.” More notably, this amendment also establishes an exemption from the age and four-year limitations on participation in inclusive athletic activities. The amendment also relieves students from the requirement of undergoing a physical evaluation that includes an assessment of physical development and maturity.
• Under the new rule, the exemption may apply where the superintendent or chief executive officer of the school determines that: (1) the student is a bona fide student of the high school and has not yet graduated; (2) the student is otherwise qualified to compete; and (3) the student underwent a health examination by the director of school services who determined that the student’s participation will not present safety or health concerns.

5. Coaching Updates (Amendments due to COVID-19)

1. Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to eligibility for participation in interschool competition and inclusive athletic activities for students who have Section 504 or ADA plans. (June 2020)

• The Board has adopted by emergency action a change to the bona fide student regulation.  
• The regulation, as written, has been interpreted by schools and athletic associations, etc., as precluding consideration of a request for an accommodation on behalf of an otherwise qualified student with a disability who is not registered in the equivalent of three regular courses as a result of his or her education plan approved under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• The amendment makes it clear that the regulation should not be interpreted as barring consideration of such accommodation requests in accordance with federal law.
• Reference Amendment to Section 135.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to eligibility for participation in interschool competition and inclusive athletic activities for students who have Section 504 or ADA plans

2. COVID -19 Update: First Aid and CPR/AED Certification Flexibility for Coaches. (June 2020)

• Reference COVID-19 Update: First Aid and CPR/AED Certification Flexibility for Coaches
• Reference COVID-19 Update Amendment: First Aid and CPR/AED Certification Flexibility for Coaches (December 2020)

3. COVID -19 Update: Theory and Techniques of Coaching (Sport Specific) Course Internship Experience Flexibility

• Reference COVID-19 Update: Theory and Techniques of Coaching (Sport Specific) Course Internship Experience Flexibility 

4. COVID-19 Update: Professional Coaching License Amendment

• Background: Section 135.4 is amended to not require temporary coaching candidates of extracurricular interscholastic sports, who held a temporary coaching certificate for the winter 2019-2020 and/or spring 2020 sports seasons, to have received an evaluation by the principal or athletic director for the winter 2019-2020 and/or spring 2020 sport seasons for professional coaching certification due to school closures during the COVID-19 crisis. Currently, these candidates are required to receive a satisfactory evaluation by the principal or athletic director for each of the preceding three years that they coached in the sport for which a professional coaching certificate is sought.

6. Approved Coaching Course List (Updated February 2020)

• The list of  Courses Accepted as Meeting the Coaches' First Aid Requirement was updated on February 2020.

7. Guidelines for Coaching (Updated January 2018)

• Reference Guidelines for the Coaching Requirements

8. Quality Physical Education Plan Reminder

• Is your district plan current with the new NYS Physical Education Learning Standards and regulations? Is your plan frequently updated to ensure high-quality programs are being offered? Recommend updating minimum of 7 years. Important when looking for funding and support.
• If you need technical assistance or have specific questions contact Darryl Daily at  darryl.daily@nysed.gov
• According to Commissioner’s Regulation 135.4 -Physical Education Plans must be filed both at the local level and at the Department. Plans can be sent as a hard copy or as an e-mailed attachment to the Department. E-mail format is preferred.
• Reference:
  • 8 CRR-NY 135.4 Physical Education
  • Updated NYS Physical Education Learning Standards (2020)

Darryl L. Daily, Associate in Physical Education                        

New York State Education Department   

Room 860 EBA                                    

89 Washington Avenue

Albany, New York 12234

E-mail: Darryl.Daily@nysed.gov

Phone: (518) 474-5922

Physical Education Website

Health Education Website