SB1972eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1972 Engrossed LRB094 11448 NHT 42368 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 Section 27-6 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-6) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-6)

Sec. 27-6. Courses in physical education - 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 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. 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. A school board may also excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 from engaging in physical education courses if (i) the pupil is getting substantial physical activity from participating in athletic training and competition in a sport under the auspices of a national governing board that is recognized by and affiliated with an international sports federation, (ii) the pupil has competitively placed in the top 10 of the competitors in State, regional, or national competitions of the sport, (iii) the parent or guardian has provided documentation of such training and recognition, and (iv) the pupil completes alternative coursework in physical education, as determined by the school district. 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.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.