The bill amends sections 3313.48 and 3313.603 of the Revised Code and enacts section 3301.96, allowing high school students in Ohio to fulfill their physical education requirements through participation in club sports or other athletic activities. It emphasizes the importance of recess and physical activity for students' well-being, encouraging school districts to provide more opportunities for movement during instructional time. The Department of Education and Workforce is tasked with developing best practices to support student physical education and health. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum duration of recess for students in grades K-6 from fifteen to thirty minutes and introduces definitions for "club sports" and "other athletic activity."

Moreover, the bill modernizes high school education by allowing students to apply computer coding courses toward foreign language requirements and excusing physical education requirements for students involved in extracurricular activities. It mandates the integration of technology into curricula and introduces flexible graduation requirements for students entering ninth grade on or after July 1, 2010. A new requirement is established for students participating in club sports or athletic activities to submit a signed statement confirming they have met the necessary requirements, which must include signatures from their coach and parent or guardian. The bill also repeals existing sections 3313.48 and 3313.603, streamlining the educational framework in Ohio.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3313.48, 3313.603, 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24
As Reported By House Committee: 3313.48, 3313.603