Physical Education Requirement
Florida statute requires students to take one (1) credit of physical education in high school, which must include the integration of health. This course requirement can be satisfied when students successfully complete Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE), a one-year course. In addition to HOPE, there are various Physical Education courses offered as electives, but none are required for graduation. HOPE does not have to be taken during a student’s ninth grade year but is encouraged.
The only alternative options approved by the State of Florida to meet the one credit Physical Education/HOPE requirement are as follows:
- Students who participate in an interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity level for two full seasons have the option to waive the one-credit requirement for HOPE. This also includes competitive cheerleading in high schools that compete in events sanctioned through the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). A full season is defined as attendance and participation in both the practices and competitive events from the first day allowable by the FHSAA to the elimination of the team from the FHSAA tournament competition. Students who choose to waive the physical education requirement by participating in an interscholastic sport, which includes competitive cheerleading, must complete additional credits in elective courses to meet the 24 credits required by the state for graduation. *
- Completion of two full years in a Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) class, a significant component of which is drills, may satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education/HOPE (HB 7031-2014 page 50). Students using this to satisfy the course are still required to complete 24 credits for the standard *** *
* It is important to note that students who choose to waive the HOPE course with participation in athletics, or who choose to satisfy the credit with JROTC will not receive comprehensive Health or Physical Education. Therefore, they will receive little or no exposure to a variety of health concepts. The description of the HOPE course and the associated stated standards are located online at CPALMS at www.cpalms.org.
** There are no waivers for medical reasons. The HOPE course is designed to be adapted to meet students’ individual needs. To ensure students receive proper modifications, physical education teachers should be included in IEP or 504 plan discussions. In the event of a temporary medical concern, the teacher will modify instruction to accommodate the student’s level of ability.
*** The successful completion of two years of JROTC can also be used to satisfy the one-credit graduation requirement for fine and performing arts.
Exemptions from the Physical Education Requirement
- Students enrolled in the high school IB program and who successfully complete the requirements are exempt from the physical education graduation requirement.
- Students enrolled in the high school Cambridge AICE program and who successfully complete the requirements are exempt from the physical education graduation requirement.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer from another Florida district or from out of state and who previously met the physical education requirement in their district must provide written documentation. The course code number, 1500990, should be entered by the school registrar and reflected on the student’s transcript.
Performing and Fine Arts High School Graduation Requirement
Section 1003.4282(3), F.S., requires that students earn one credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or Career and Technical Education. A practical arts course that incorporates artistic content and techniques of creativity, interpretation, and imagination satisfies this requirement. Eligible practical arts courses can be found in the Florida Course Code Directory.
Options for satisfying the Arts requirement are as follows:
- Reserve Officer Training Corps – Completion of two years in a (R.O.T.C.) class can satisfy the one credit in performing arts in addition to satisfying the physical education/HOPE one-credit requirement (HB 7031– 2014 page 50. Students using this course to satisfy this requirement are still required to complete 24 credits for the standard diploma.
- Marching Band – Completion of one semester with a grade of “C” or better in a marching band class, that requires participation in marching band activities as an extracurricular activity, or in a dance class shall satisfy one-half credit in physical education or one-half credit in performing arts.
- Students enrolled in high school IB program and who successfully complete the program requirements are exempt from meeting the Arts credit.
- Students enrolled in high school Cambridge AICE program and who successfully complete the program requirements are exempt from meeting the Arts credit.
Practical Arts Courses Substitutions
A course in career and technical education could be used as an option to satisfy the “one credit in performing arts, speech, and debate, or career and technical education” required for graduation. 1003.428(2)(a)5 F.S.
The current list is available at https://www.fldoe.org/policy/articulation/ccd/2023-2024-course-directory.stml
Career Education Course Substitutions
A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college credit articulation agreement approved by the State Board of Education may substitute the certification for certain non-elective course as outlined in Florida Course Code Directory. The career program that is substituted for a non-elective academic course shall be funded at the level appropriate for the career education program. Career education course substitutions may not count toward state university system admission requirements. Specific information on career course substitutions can be found in the Florida Course Code Directory at https://www.fldoe.org/policy/articulation/ccd/2024-2025-course-directory.stml
Section 1007.1007.2616 F.S., F.S., authorizes the substitution of up to one (1) mathematics credit and one (1) equally rigorous science credit toward high school graduation for a student receiving a passing score on an industry certification examination and using an eligible computer science course containing content related to the course for which it is substituting. In accordance with s.1007.2616, F.S., computer science courses are identified in the Course Code Directory. The list of computer science courses may be accessed at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7746/urlt/2425CompSci.pdf
The school district would determine which industry certification exams (passing scores) can yield course substitutions for mathematics and science. It is important to note that one qualifying industry certification attainment equates to one substitution credit. A student would need to earn two distinct industry certifications tied to college credit in order to earn the maximum two substitution credits (one for math, one for science). The eligible industry certifications that are tied to statewide college credit may be found at http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-technical-edu- agreements/industry-certification.stml.
Industry certifications approved for meeting mathematics and science high school diploma requirements are NOT accepted as one of the 4 math or 3 natural science credits required for SUS admission. Students may include information about any industry certification in their application; however, it will not be counted as one of the 18 credits for admission purposes.
For the online course graduation requirement, in addition to middle and high school virtual/blended courses, per 1003.4282(4)(b) F.S. students may fulfill this requirement by:
- completion of a course in which a student earns a nationally recognized industry certification in information technology that is identified on the Career and Professional Education Act (CAPE) Industry Certification Funding List (44, F.S..) or passage of the information technology certification examination without enrollment in or completion of the corresponding course(s). Currently, there are 47 industry certifications that will satisfy this requirement identified in the primary career cluster area on information technology on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List at https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/cape-secondary/cape-industry-cert-funding-list-current.stml
Exemptions from Instruction 1003.42(3) F.S..
Any student whose parent/guardian presents a written request to the principal shall be exempted from instruction on reproductive health or any disease, including HIV/Aids, its symptoms, development, and treatment. A student so exempted shall not be penalized by reason of the exemption. The exemption must be requested annually.
Students may be excused from conducting biological experiments upon written request of a parent/legal guardian. (1003.47 F.S.F.S.) Any student whose parent/legal guardian presents a written request to the principal shall be exempted from a proposed supplemental literary study, the content or presentation of which causes parent/legal guardian concern. The student so exempted shall be provided an alternative selection and shall not be penalized by reason of the exemption.
Reproductive Health and Disease Education Exemption HB 545
Requires each school district to publish notice on district’s website concerning parent’s right to exempt student from reproductive health and disease education; requires district school boards to annually approve instructional materials relating to reproductive health and disease education in an open, noticed public meeting; specifies that reproductive health and disease education instructional materials are to be made available for public review and comment under specific process.
