 Health and Physical Education Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to the health and physical education newsletter.
Below you will find information related to the following topics.
Additional information is included as a courtesy to educators:
- Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Rules for the 2020-2021 Academic Year
TEA has developed a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document to address questions regarding the CPR instruction and the physical fitness assessment requirements during the current school year. To access that document please visit https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/20-2-Fitnessgram-CPR-FAQ-Strong-Start-Template.pdf.
The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.38 states that a school district or an open-enrollment charter school must provide instruction to students in grades 7-12 in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The instruction may be provided as a part of any course and must be provided to each student at least once before graduation from high school. Additionally, Texas Education Code §38.101 and §38.103 require the fitness levels of all public school students who are in grade 3 or higher and enrolled in a physical education course or any physical education substitute course or activity be assessed at least once annually.
For information about the physical fitness assessment initiative (PFAI) and a Quick Start Guide, please visit https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/physical-fitness-assessment-initiative.
The TEA PFAI system is currently open. All fitness data submitted must be submitted on or before 5:00 pm (CDT) on August 13, 2021. Questions related to the PFAI application may be directed to TEA’s Curriculum Division by emailing pfaiprogramsupport@tea.texas.gov.
At the November 2020 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE approved for second reading and final adoption revisions to the K-12 health education and physical education Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The revisions for health education and physical education include new standards for kindergarten–grade 8, three new high school courses for health education, and three new high school courses for physical education.
The new health education and physical education TEKS will be effective on August 1, 2022 and will be implemented in classrooms beginning with the 2022-2023 school year.
To view the changes adopted for health education please visit https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks-review/health-education-teks-review.
To view the changes adopted for physical education please visit https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules/sboe-rules-tac/adopted-state-board-of-education-rules-not-yet-effective.
The 2018-2021 School Health Survey is now available. Texas Education Code (TEC), §38.0141, requires school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide the agency information relating to school health and physical activity. Information regarding the survey is provided in the following TEA correspondence: https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/school-health-survey. The School Health Survey is conducted regularly for this purpose, and the data gathered will allow policymakers to better address the health-related needs of Texas public schools and students.
Districts and open enrollment charter schools must complete the 2018-2021 survey on or before 5:00 pm (CDT) on May 28, 2021.
For questions related to the annual survey, please contact healthandsafety@tea.texas.gov.
Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Rules for the 2020-2021 Academic Year
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 36 and 25 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 37 require public, private, parochial, and denominational schools (Schools) and Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) licensed child care centers and licensed child care homes (Child Cares) to screen children for vision, hearing, and spinal problems.
The Health Screening Group understands the challenges schools, and school districts are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although screening is still required for this school year, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) understands the need for flexibility and advises schools and school districts to assess their capacity to safely conduct screenings. Schools and childcare centers and homes with the capacity to screen should notify parents and follow best practices previously developed by DSHS. Parents who choose not to participate at this time may decline screenings.
For more information about screening, please visit https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vhs/default.shtm.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Vision, Hearing and Spinal Screening Program at DSHS by emailing vhssprogram@dshs.texas.gov.
Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.
Barney Fudge
Health and Physical Education Coordinator
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
barney.fudge@tea.texas.gov
Phone: 512-463-9581
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