§116.64. Skill-Based Lifetime Activities (One Credit), Adopted 2020.
(a) General requirements. Students shall be awarded one credit for completion of this course.
(b) Introduction.
(1) Physical education is the foundation of a well-balanced curriculum. "It is an academic subject with
a planned and sequential K-12 curriculum based on the national standards for physical education.
Physical education provides cognitive content and instruction designed to develop motor skills,
knowledge, and behaviors for physical activity and physical fitness. Supporting schools to
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establish daily physical education can provide students with the ability and confidence to be
physically active for a lifetime" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CDC Healthy
Schools, May 2019).
(A) Physical education is designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors for
active living, physical fitness, sportsmanship, self-efficacy, and emotional intelligence.
Physical education addresses the three domains of learning: cognitive skills related to the
knowledge of movement, affective skills related to feelings and attitudes about
movement, and psychomotor skills related to the manual or physical skills in movement
literacy (SHAPE America, 2014, p. 4).
(B) Physically literate students have the ability to develop a lifetime of wellness. Physical
literacy can be described as the ability to move with competence and confidence, to
acquire knowledge and understanding, and to value and take responsibility for
engagement in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit
the healthy development of the whole person (Mandigo, Francis, Lodewyk & Lopez,
2012, and Whitehead, 2016).
(C) Research shows physical education is important to the development of the whole child
and increases a lifetime of wellness. The Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development and the National Academy of Medicine support the belief that physical
education, taught at a developmentally appropriate level, improves physical fitness and
skill development, supports and improves academic achievement, reinforces selfdiscipline and teacher goal setting, reduces stress and increases blood flow to the brain,
strengthens peer relationships, and improves self-confidence and self-esteem.
(2) The physical education standards are categorized into five strands that are of equal importance and
value. The movement patterns and movement skills strand guides the physically literate student in
the development of fundamental movement patterns, spatial and body awareness, and rhythmic
activities. The performance strategies strand guides the physically literate student in using
strategies in fundamental components of games, activities, and outdoor and recreational pursuits.
The health, physical activity, and fitness strand encompasses health-related fitness, environmental
awareness, and safety practices that guide students to a health-enhancing, physically active
lifestyle. The physically literate student demonstrates skills and mechanics used during physical
activity and analyzes data used during fitness performance. The physically literate student
recognizes the correlation between nutrition, hydration, and physical activity. The social and
emotional health strand incorporates working with others, responding to class expectations, and
applying self-management skills. The lifetime wellness strand engages students in physical
activity for the purposes of self-expression, enjoyment, and challenge.
(3) Quality physical education programs include a comprehensive curriculum, physical activity, safety
policies, safe environments, qualified physical education specialists instructing the class, and
student assessment and do not use physical activity as a form of punishment. Texas state law
outlines state requirements that support these essential components. In accordance with state law,
physical education curriculum and instruction must be sequential, developmentally appropriate,
and designed to meet the needs of all students, including students with disabilities, and of all
physical ability levels. At least 50% of the physical education class must be used for actual student
physical activity at a moderate or vigorous intensity level, which aligns with additional state
requirements for a minimum number of minutes for moderate or vigorous physical activity in
Kindergarten-Grade 8. Required student-to-teacher ratios of 45-to-1 ensure the proper supervision
and safety of students in physical education classes, and school districts must identify how student
safety will be maintained if that ratio is exceeded. State law also requires that school districts and
charter schools annually assess the physical fitness of students in Grade 3 or higher who are
enrolled in a physical education course.
(4) Access to course-appropriate physical education equipment is essential to quality instruction.
Course-appropriate equipment for all students is imperative for the development of motor skills,
manipulative skills, and eventually becoming a physically literate, lifelong learner. Equipment
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should include a variety of sizes, weights, and textures to provide differentiated experiences for
students of various ability levels.
(5) The Skill-Based Lifetime Activities course offers students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery
in basic sport skills, basic sport knowledge, and health and fitness principles. Students experience
opportunities that promote physical literacy and lifetime wellness. Students in Skill-Based
Lifetime Activities participate in a minimum of one lifelong activity from each of the following
five categories during the course.
(A) Target games are activities in which students send an object toward a target.
(B) Striking and fielding games are activities in which students strike an object in order to
score points within a game.
(C) Fitness activities provide opportunities for students to apply fitness principles to
accomplish an objective.
(D) Rhythmic activities provide opportunities for students to demonstrate or create movement
sequences with rhythm.
(E) Innovative games and activities with international significance are those games and
activities that use new or innovative equipment, have been created by students, or are
played internationally.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
(1) Movement patterns and movement skills. The physically literate student applies movement skills
while participating in a minimum of five lifelong activities, including one from each of the
following categories: target, striking and fielding, fitness, rhythmic, and innovative games and
activities with international significance. The student is expected to:
(A) exhibit a level of competency in one or more target activities such as archery, disc golf,
backyard target games, bowling, and golf;
(B) exhibit a level of competency in one or more striking and fielding activities such as
kickball, softball, baseball, and racquet sports;
(C) exhibit a level of competency in one or more fitness activities that promote
cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility;
(D) exhibit a level of competency in one or more rhythmic activities; and
(E) exhibit a level of competency in one or more innovative games and activities with
international significance such as cricket, futsal, speed ball, and team handball.
(2) Performance strategies. The physically literate student applies tactics and strategies to be
successful in skill-based lifetime activities. The student is expected to:
(A) perform skills and strategies consistently;
(B) modify movement during performance using appropriate internal and external feedback;
(C) describe appropriate practice procedures to improve skill and strategy in a sport;
(D) identify the critical elements for successful performance;
(E) demonstrate proper officiating techniques, including hand signals, verbal communication,
and application of rules, to ensure safe participation in activities; and
(F) keep score accurately during games or activities.
(3) Health, physical activity, and fitness. The physically literate student applies knowledge of health
and fitness principles to participation in skill-based lifetime activities. The student is expected to:
(A) establish realistic and challenging health-related fitness goals for selected skill-based
lifetime activities;
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(B) apply appropriate safety procedures to prevent or reduce injuries in skill-based lifetime
activities; and
(C) analyze health and fitness benefits derived from participating in skill-based lifetime
activities.
(4) Social and emotional health. The physically literate student applies principles for social and
emotional health to participation in selected skill-based lifetime activities. The student is expected
to:
(A) acknowledge good play from an opponent during competition;
(B) explain the importance of accepting the roles and decisions of officials;
(C) explain the importance of accepting successes and performance limitations of self and
others;
(D) discuss the importance of accepting personal responsibility to create and maintain a
physically and emotionally safe and nonthreatening environment while officiating; and
(E) discuss and apply ways to respond to challenges, successes, and failures in physical
activities in socially appropriate ways.
(5) Lifetime wellness. The physically literate student applies wellness principles to participation in
selected skill-based lifetime activities. The student is expected to
(A) select and participate in at least one skill-based lifetime activity that provides for
enjoyment and challenge from each category, including target, striking and fielding,
fitness, rhythmic, and innovative games and activities with international significance; and
(B) describe how sleep is essential to optimal performance and recovery.