FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
S
TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
LINDA K. TAYLOR
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
Contact Persons
Name:
Kim McDougal
Name:
Faye Johnson/
Jen Thorn
Phone:
(850) 245-9527
Phone:
(850) 245-0480
Suncom:
205-9527
Suncom:
205-0480
E-mail:
kim.mcdougal@fldoe.org
E-mail:
faye.johnson@fldoe.org
jenifer.thorn@fldoe.org
DPS:
04-142
MEMORANDUM
TO:
District School Superintendents
From:
Jim
Warford
Date:
July 7, 2004
Subject:
2004 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES RELATING TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The 2004 Legislature passed Senate Bill (CS/CS/SB) 354, Public School Educational Instruction,
which creates a new section of law and amends current law relating to physical education. This
memorandum will address those changes and requirements in physical education and provide
general information.
To assist districts in the implementation of this legislation, the Department has scheduled conference
calls for July 13, 14, and 15, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (see attached schedule). Districts
may participate in any one of these sessions. Because required revisions related to physical
education m
ust be included in your 2005-2006 school improvement plans, and there are other
pressing deadlines associated with this bill, we encourage you to participate in one of these
teleconference sessions.
JIM WARFORD
K -12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509• www.fldoe.org
July 7, 2004
Page Two
CS/CS/SB 354 provisions related to physical education are as follows:
•
directs the Department of Education to conduct a study of the status of physical education in
Florida’s schools and to develop recommendations for changes to physical education
programs
•
requires the Department to select or develop a student fitness assessment and provide
support materials to the districts
•
requires schools to include student health and fitness in their school improvement plans
•
requires school districts to develop appropriate physical education programs that provide at
least a moderate intensity level
•
requires school districts to develop a written policy detailing their physical education
programs by December 1, 2004, and to report on the adopted policy to the Department by
December 15, 2004
•
requires the Department to approve a state university physical education teacher education
program to develop and implement an Internet-based clearinghouse for physical education
professional development programs that may be accessed and used by all instructional
personnel.
A more detailed summary of this legislation is attached. Please note that SB 354 also includes
provisions related to the Middle Grades Reform Act; these are addressed in DPS Memorandum
04-135.
If you have questions or need additional information regarding this bill as it pertains to physical
education, please contact Faye Johnson or Jenifer Thorn, Coordinated School Health Program,
Office of Safe and Healthy Schools.
JW/cc
Attachments (2)
cc:
Assistant Superintendents of Curriculum and Instruction
District Administrators of Physical Education
