Physical Education
Physical Education Content Standards
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, regular physical activity is one of the most important ways to maintain and improve one’s physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. A student who participates in physical education is more likely to become a healthy adult who is motivated to remain healthy and physically active throughout his or her life.
The physical education model content standards represent the essential skills and knowledge that all students need to maintain a physically active, healthy lifestyle. The model content standards provide guidance for developing physical education programs by identifying what each student in California should know and be able to do at each grade level. With adequate instruction and sustained effort, students in every school should be able to achieve the standards. Some students with special needs may require appropriate accommodations, adaptations, and modifications to meet the standards. Decisions about how best to teach the standards are left to teachers, schools, and local educational agencies.
Highlights of the Physical Education Standards
The five overarching model content standards for elementary and middle school students are as follows:
- Standard 1: Students demonstrate the motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
- Standard 2: Students demonstrate knowledge of movement concepts, principles, and strategies that apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.
- Standard 3: Students assess and maintain a level of physical fitness to improve health and performance.
- Standard 4: Students demonstrate knowledge of physical fitness concepts, principles, and strategies to improve health and performance.
- Standard 5: Students demonstrate and utilize knowledge of psychological and sociological concepts, principles, and strategies that apply to the learning and performance of physical activity.
