Los Gatos-Saratoga trustees hold study session on meeting California's 20-credit PE graduation requirement

Board President Chen convened a special study session Jan. 23 of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Board of Trustees to examine how the district meets California's high school physical education graduation requirement of 20 credits (two years). Presenters included Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deepa Mukherjee, Los Gatos and Saratoga site principals and PE department chairs, who described ninth-grade year-long courses, elective offerings for grades 10'12 and how athletics and other activities can be used to earn remaining credits.

The presentation distinguished physical education (standards-based instruction across eight content areas) from physical activity (sports, dance, spirit squads) and explained that the Fitnessgram assessment is administered in ninth grade with participation rates reported in each school's School Accountability Report Card. Staff said successful completion of the district's ninth-grade course accounts for 10 of the required 20 credits; students may earn the remaining 10 credits through year-long PE electives or through school-sponsored physical activity programs where seasons typically grant 5 credits per season.

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