Public Act 094-0189
 
HB1540 Enrolled LRB094 05657 AMC 35706 b

    AN ACT concerning education.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
27-6 and 27-7 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/27-6)  (from Ch. 122, par. 27-6)
    Sec. 27-6. Courses in physical education required; special
activities.
    (a) Pupils enrolled in the public schools and State
universities engaged in preparing teachers shall, as soon as
practicable, be required to engage daily, during the school
day, in courses of physical education for such periods as are
compatible with the optimum growth and developmental
development needs of individuals at the various age levels
except when appropriate excuses are submitted to the school by
a pupil's parent or guardian or by a person licensed under the
Medical Practice Act of 1987 and except as provided in
subsection (b) of this Section.
    Special activities in physical education shall be provided
for pupils whose physical or emotional condition, as determined
by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987,
prevents their participation in the courses provided for normal
children.
    (b) A school board is authorized to excuse pupils enrolled
in grades 11 and 12 from engaging in physical education courses
if those pupils request to be excused for any of the following
reasons: (1) for ongoing participation in an interscholastic
athletic program; (2) to enroll in academic classes which are
required for admission to an institution of higher learning,
provided that failure to take such classes will result in the
pupil being denied admission to the institution of his or her
choice; or (3) to enroll in academic classes which are required
for graduation from high school, provided that failure to take
such classes will result in the pupil being unable to graduate.
A school board may also excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12
enrolled in a marching band program for credit from engaging in
physical education courses if those pupils request to be
excused for ongoing participation in such marching band
program. In addition, a school board may excuse pupils in
grades 9 through 12 if those pupils must utilize the time set
aside for physical education to receive special education
support and services. A school board may also excuse pupils in
grades 9 through 12 enrolled in a Reserve Officer's Training
Corps (ROTC) program sponsored by the school district from
engaging in physical education courses. School boards which
choose to exercise this authority shall establish a policy to
excuse pupils on an individual basis.
    (c) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
provisions of Section 27-22.05.
(Source: P.A. 88-269; 89-155, eff. 7-19-95; 89-175, eff.
7-19-95; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/27-7)  (from Ch. 122, par. 27-7)
    Sec. 27-7. Physical education course of study. Purposes of
courses in physical education and training - Courses of
instruction. A physical education course of study shall include
a developmentally planned and sequential curriculum that
fosters the development of movement skills, enhances
health-related fitness, increases students' knowledge, offers
direct opportunities to learn how to work cooperatively in a
group setting, and encourages healthy habits and attitudes for
a healthy lifestyle. A physical education course of study shall
provide students with an opportunity for an appropriate amount
of daily physical activity. A physical education course of
study must be part of the regular school curriculum and not
extra-curricular in nature or organization. Courses in
physical education and training shall be for the following
purposes:
    1. to develop organic vigor;
    2. to provide bodily and emotional poise;
    3. to provide neuro-muscular training;
    4. to prevent or correct certain postural defects;
    5. to develop strength and endurance;
    6. to develop desirable moral and social qualities;
    7. to promote hygienic school and home life; and
    8. to secure scientific supervision of the sanitation and
safety of school buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields and
equipment thereof.
    The State Board of Education shall prepare and make
available guidelines for the various grades and types of
schools in order to make effective the purposes set forth in
this section and the requirements provided in Section 27-6, and
shall see that the general provisions and intent of Sections
27-5 to 27-9, inclusive, are enforced.
(Source: P.A. 90-372, eff. 7-1-98.)
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.