Physical Education Requirements in California

This comprehensive HIA was conducted using a quantitative model to compare policy options for increasing the quality and quantity of physical education (P.E.) provided by California schools at every grade level. Three P.E. policy scenarios for middle and high school students were considered: increase the percent of time in moderate to vigorous physical activity during P.E. in secondary grades where P.E. is mandatory; increase compliance with state P.E. requirements (currently 400 minutes every 10 school days in secondary grades); and requiring P.E. in 11^th and 12^th grades (assuming students in these two grades are currently exempt). Of the various strategies studied, increasing the percent time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during P.E. would likely have the greatest potential to increase health-inducing physical activity levels among secondary school students. The HIA also recommended that efforts to increase physical activity levels be combined with efforts to encourage and enable healthier eating practices.