Reps. Tom Young, Melanie Miller Introduce Legislation to Expand Physical Education Waiver Policy for Ohio Students
COLUMBUS – State Representatives Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) recently introduced legislation that expands Ohio’s physical education waiver to include club sports or other athletic activities, allowing students who participate in these activities to use them to fulfill graduation requirements.
Students are required to take one-half unit of physical education, which means a minimum of 120 hours of course instruction. Currently, Ohio law provides for a physical education waiver policy that allows high school students to be excused from taking physical education as a graduation requirement if they participate in certain activities including interscholastic athletics, marching band, show choir, cheerleading (for at least two full seasons) or junior reserve officer training corp (for at least two full school years). However, this exemption is not currently available to students participating in club sports.
House Bill 304 allows students who take part in club sports or other athletic activities (a sport of physical activity taught by an instructor outside of school) to be exempt from physical activity as a graduation requirement provided they meet a minimum of 120 hours of participation and submit proper documentation.
“We have an exciting opportunity to expand upon students’ current ability to receive credit for their extracurricular involvement that may be independent of their school district,” said Rep. Young. “This bill ensures that student athletes are academically recognized for their efforts, and their achievements do not go unnoticed.”“While this waiver is well intentioned and helpful for students who are active in school sponsored sports and teams, it alienates students who are just as active and playing the same sports but, on a club, or individual level,” said Rep. Miller. “By making this change we are hoping to make meaningful adjustments to this existing policy and allow for students who are committed to club and travel athletic teams and sports to be a part of this waiver process.”
House Bill 304 now awaits additional hearings in the House Education Committee.
