Need-to-Know Information Regarding

The Tennessee Physical Activity Law

PC1001: Tennessee’s 90-minute physical activity law for elementary and secondary students states that “It shall be the duty of each LEA to implement 90 minutes of physical activity per week into the instructional day for elementary and secondary students.”

Physical activity in an educational setting is defined as “behavior consisting of bodily movement that requires energy expenditure above the normal physiological (muscular, cardio, respiratory) requirements of a typical school day.”

This is not to be confused with physical education, which consists of structured classes following physical educations standards taught by certified physical education teachers.

The Tennessee Department of Education has suggested the following do’s and don’ts:

Do:

• Increase the amount of physical activity students are currently receiving.
• Make daily lesson plans physically active in all academic areas K-12
• Remember that the activity must be done within the academic school day.

Don’t:

• Rely on what has been done in the past 30 years, i.e. walking to and from classes.
• Ignore the law in hopes that it will go away.
• Forget that this is good for student learning, health, and well-being.

At William Blount, we will implement the law in the following manner.

Each teacher will be responsible for incorporating 23 minutes per week of physical activity into each class. Teachers may divide up the time into as many or as few sessions as their schedules allow. Activities may take place inside the classroom, or teachers may take students outside for walks on campus.

Professional development will be provided as well as materials for teachers.