A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT directing the state board of education to adopt and phase in a required physical education program.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 115C‑81.4.  Required Physical Education Program.
(a)	The State Board of Education shall adopt and phase in a required physical education program. The program shall be implemented in kindergarten through first grade beginning with the 2010‑2011 school year, in second through fifth grade beginning with the 2011‑2012 school year, in sixth grade beginning with the 2012‑2013 school year, in seventh and eighth grade beginning with the 2013‑2014 school year, and in ninth through twelfth grade beginning with the 2014‑2015 school year. At every grade level:
(1)	Physical education and health education classes shall be taught by certified teachers, beginning with the 2011‑2012 school year;
(2)	Class size shall be equivalent to that of other core academic classes; and
(3)	There shall be assessments measuring knowledge, skill, and fitness.
(b)	The elementary school program shall consist of at least 150 minutes of physical education each week.
(c)	The healthful living middle school physical education program shall consist of at least 225 minutes of instruction in healthful living.
(d)	The high school physical education program shall include healthful living honors courses. At least two credits of physical education shall be required for high school graduation.
(e)	Elements of the evaluation process of the quality and the impact of the physical education program shall include:
(1)	The impact of physical activity;
(2)	The impact of the level of physical activity and the amount of physical education on students' ability to learn effectively and maximize performance in school;
(3)	Measurement of the impact of the instruction process in physical education; and
(4)	Evaluation by an independent evaluator to access the costs and the impact of quality physical education."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.