All Physical Education classes are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Physical Education.

Elementary Physical Education
The elementary physical education instructional programs should emphasize participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity, fundamental motor skills, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility development, and dance instruction. Instructional activities should incorporate life skills such as fair play, cooperation, citizenship, leadership, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

• Students must receive a total of 135 minutes of structured TEKS-based physical education/physical activity per week.
  
  

Recess
Senate Bill 530 requires the local School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) to consider and make policy recommendations to the district concerning the importance of daily recess for elementary school students. The council must consider research regarding unstructured and undirected play, academic and social development, and the health benefits of daily recess in making the recommendations. The council shall ensure that local community values are reflected in any policy recommendation made to the district under this subsection.

Therefore, the Houston Independent School District recess guidelines are:

• All elementary schools will provide 30 minutes of unstructured recess for grades PK-5.
• The withholding of recess will not be used as punishment, nor for students to complete classwork or attend tutorials.
• Each school should determine what time of day the recess should be scheduled and collaborate with the Physical Education teacher to develop building-level guidelines to ensure adequate supervision and safety precautions.
• A certified educator must be responsible for monitoring students to prevent accidents.
• Recess will be held outside if weather permits. In the case of inclement weather, each school will develop an alternative plan for recess.
• Building principals will ensure that recess will be separate from the Physical Education program.
• The building principal will ensure that both recess and physical education will be part of in the daily program and scheduled as separate activities. Recess will not replace the structured physical activity provided through physical education.
  
  

Middle School Physical Education Requirements
Physical Education at the middle school level should focus on maximum participation in physical fitness and skill development daily. The program should, therefore, be designed to promote fitness concepts, self-reliance, interpersonal skills, and positive attitudes toward active/social lifestyles. Students should also participate in laboratory experiences that stress skill-building techniques.

It is strongly recommended that Physical Education be scheduled for two semesters each school year in grades 6, 7, and 8. However, Physical Education must be scheduled for no less than four semesters during the combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. To comply with these state Physical Education requirements the HISD Health/Physical Education Department suggests the following schedule:

• Grade 6 -2 Semesters
• Grade 7 -1 Semester
• Grade 8 -1 Semester
  
  

High School Physical Education
Physical Education at the high school level should provide opportunities for students to engage in personal fitness, body conditioning, and recreational/lifetime activities. The program should, therefore, be designed to empower students to understand that total fitness and active participation is an individual responsibility.

Physical Education must be offered in Grades 9-12 during all semesters. Students must complete one credit in Physical Education for graduation.

Each school may offer the following physical education semester courses:

• Foundations of Personal Fitness (recommended prerequisite for other courses)
• Adventure/Outdoor Education;
• Aerobic Activities;
• Individual Sports; and
• Team Sports.