In elementary school, Florida state statute currently requires 150 minutes per week of physical education. Elementary physical education focuses on movement competency, cognitive abilities, lifetime fitness, and responsible behaviors and values. OCPS school district policy prohibits interscholastic athletic contests at the elementary school level. Physical education is an important component of the educational school day. Current brain research supports the importance of physical activity during school to promote learning. Research also shows that children and adolescents who are physically active grow into healthier adults. The outcome of a physical education program that is developmentally and instructionally appropriate is a student with the knowledge to lead a healthy and active lifestyle for their lifetime. Physical Education in Orange County Public Schools is designed to give students the opportunity to learn through a comprehensive sequentially planned program using the Florida Standards as a guide.
"Physical education shall consist of physical activities of at least a moderate intensity level and for a duration sufficient to provide a significant health benefit to students"
State Statute 1003.455(1).
