State Senate Bill 454, which was amended on March 19, 2024, was introduced by Senator Dush which would amend the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), allowing students to satisfy physical education requirements by participating in interscholastic athletics.

SHAPE PA would like to present a signed petition supporting this opposition. Now, more than ever, we need teachers, parents, students, and other interested stakeholders to sign the following petition to oppose this bill. We are seeking a minimum of 1000 signatures by April 8, 2024, to show strong support for quality physical education.

Petition

We, the undersigned, oppose Pennsylvania State Senate Bill 454. This bill would permit students to satisfy physical education requirements, and components of the Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, by participating in interscholastic athletics. This bill could limit our student’s educational experience, depriving them of essential health, safety, and wellness knowledge that can be used now and throughout adulthood.

Students would not receive instruction in the many high school-level physical education concepts that enable them to develop an individualized wellness plan to live an active and healthy lifestyle through adulthood. This will negatively impact their quality of life.

This mandatory instruction/assessment of the physical education standards must be delivered by a certified physical education teacher at the secondary level, which will not occur in the extra-curricular activity of sports. Most coaches do not hold certification in Health and Physical Education.
PDE's Health and Physical Education webpage states that it is not permissible to waive requirements of Health and Physical Education due to participation in interscholastic sports.

Extra-curricular activities, such as sports, are not equivalent nor interchangeable with Physical Education course curriculum. Physical Education is a mandatory course and a graduation requirement.
PIAA's board opposes counting sports as Physical Education and states that students should participate in Physical Education class.

SB 454 would deny students instruction and assessment of physical education concepts needed to prepare them to live an active and healthy lifestyle post graduation.