Response to S.B. 222: AN ACT PERMITTING INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS TO BE USED AS CREDIT TOWARD THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR PURPOSES OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

UPDATE (4.15.26):  The proposed bill has passed through the legislative writing process and is awaiting Senate action.
READ THE PROPOSED BILL HERE
The Senate leadership will decide soon whether to allow the bill to go to a vote of the full Senate. Our efforts with the Senate leadership has been to been to highlight all the organizations opposed to SB 222 and the impact this bill will have on QUALITY and MEANINGFUL PHYSICAL EDUCATION for all students and asking them to kill this bill before it gets to a Senate vote.

A number of issues have been raised in support of this bill that we have respectfully offered counterpoint to, particularly around the idea that this bill simply gives local control to districts on this issue. Each of the CT Senates 36 members have received the following:

Regarding the concern that physical education might diminish a student athlete’s performance on competition days, local districts already have the autonomy to address this. Student self-regulation of physical activity on competition days should be standard practice, as it is in most high schools. If this is not occurring, it is a local control issue that districts already have the power to resolve. Legislation allowing for a full waiver of credit is an outsized response to a narrow, manageable issue.

Additionally, the argument made by the bill’s sponsor that physical education limits access to AP courses is a matter of local scheduling rather than the inclusion of physical education in the HS curriculum. At most high schools, athletes can graduate with a large number of AP credits while completing full credit requirements for health and physical education. This, too, is a local issue that does not necessitate state legislation.

The sub-text of these arguments often stem from the perception that physical education is not a high-value use of time. While high-quality, standards-based programs exist throughout our state, districts must hold underperforming programs accountable for learning outcomes just as they do for other core academic subjects. Rather than neglecting these programs, districts should invest in content-specific professional development and instructional coaching. 

To support improvement, the state legislature should direct the CSDE to reinstate the School Health and Physical Education consultant positions, which have been vacant for over a decade.

SB 222 is regressive legislation. While it may appear as a beneficial option for students, it ultimately diminishes the potential for physical education to have a meaningful impact on all students. Athletics and physical education offer distinct experiences; with physical education being an essential component of a well-rounded, intentional education.

In addition we have reached out to the CT HPE community by email asking them to reach out to their State Senator and voice their opposition to this bill. See an example email below with a list of State Senators.

Still much work to be done to kill this bill. Please reach out to your State Senator if you have not done so yet!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF QUALITY AND MEANINGFUL PHYSICAL EDUCATION!

REVISED SB 222 FACT SHEET

SB 222 Sample Email w/ State Senator List

CTAHPERD/CAAHPE/UNIVERSITY Letter

CTAHPERD/CAAHPE General Talking Points

Rawcliffe Testimony

Stefano Testimony

CAS/CIAC Testimony

CAAHPE Teacher Testimony Template

Link to Education Committee Members