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If your school offers PE credit for Marching Band...speak up!

Give me details also...(band size, school size, amount of credit, etc.)

I am trying to gather some data to submit for review at my high school, and your help would be appreciated.

yes
band size: pretty big
school size 3000?
5 credits: equivalent of one semester of PE

Credit for Marching PE (not called marching band PE) has been available in California since the early 1950's and has never been recinded by the State of California.

In the 1950's or 1960's the Attorney General of California gave a written opinion "supporting the credit for marching PE as long as the students are given physical preparation for the state required PE tests." This decision has never been changed, altered, or revoked. (knock on wood...)

I have a copy of the Attorney General's ruling/opinion/decision in my files that will be included in my book due out next year.

Some California school districts offer credit for marching PE including dance, drill team, color guard and song and cheer either: all year, only a semester each year, only the 9th and 10th grade years, all four years, all year round and other variations. This is an individual district decision as to how to implement marching PE credit if at all.

You need to contact the band directors in those school districts in California that offer marching PE credit. These directors will have a copy of their district "guidelines, key to learning, course description" and other titles to possibly share with you.

The previous issue of the State of California K-12 Visual and Performing Arts Framework used to list Marching PE as a class. The current issue of the Framework does not...

In my many years of helping band directors in their quest for marching PE credit, I have found that the most resistance comes from the PE instructors who lose students from their PE classes. The athletic team coaches understand the band's needs, but the PE instructors will try to hang on to their numbers in their classes.

Best of luck in your quest...

vore

yes
band size: nearly 80 winds
school size: 2000ish
one semester

Yes
Band size: 155 (marching, 190 in the program)
School size: 3000ish
One semester

In our situation, it took years for us to get PE credit for the marching band. The problem wasn't the state; it was the PE teachers in our district. In order for us to get PE credit curriculum approved it had to be signed off by the PE department chairpersons and they felt it would cost them jobs......a valid point.
I have 50 taking PE and that reduces the jobs in the PE department by one section.

Oh no, one less section of PE for someone to "teach". One less period to waste in paying a coach that only really works 3-4 months out of the year... It is much better used on Band which is a 12 month activity...

SithScorp wrote:Oh no, one less section of PE for someone to "teach". One less period to waste in paying a coach that only really works 3-4 months out of the year... It is much better used on Band which is a 12 month activity...

hmm well it used to be! Now most of the sports have gone year round and like the band directors most coaches are not compensated for all of the extra time they put into a program. So I can see where it would be a problem. We parents would want it all our way and sometimes we have a chip about sports vs band real or perceived, we often feel slighted about these decisions

The band directors must work within the framework presented to them and any and all of the political ramifications that come with it. As parents we appreciate the work these directors do to enable our kids to participate and get credit for a very worthwhile activity. It would be great to say that everyone in a school or a district is in the same boat on this, but as you can see it’s a constant battle

Band Size: 250
School: around 2,100
Credit: One year

Band size:115
School:1800
PE Credit- All Year for the two required years of PE, both band and guard.

Band size: 137
School size: about 2400
Credit given: Yes

It counts as PE class for the band. It is after school practice.

PE Credits: Oh yeah!!
Band size:250
School Size: 4,000

Also, we letter in band. Is that a common thing or is it only a few schools?
Just wondering.

band size: 205 w/guard
school size: 4000
pe credit: one semester. second semester is concert season

Band Size: Like 100
School: 2000+
Credit: One year

that sucks if u dont get PE credit cuz its alot harder then PE is