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Marching for P.E. Credit
By Thomas H. WaggonerPublished: May 2011
PDF Version AvailableEffective as of the 2010–2011 school year and thereafter, the extracurricular activity of marching band may receive up to one total credit substitution for physical education. Band I–IV, the state-approved academic courses under the Fine Arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Music, no longer serve as physical education “waivers.” However, students enrolled in and who successfully complete a Band I–IV course still receive fine arts or elective credit toward high school graduation (even if they are also receiving a physical education substitution credit for their participation in the activity of marching band). Marching band is solely an extracurricular activity commonly associated with the academic, TEKS-based courses of Band I–IV. Marching band is not a state-approved academic course.
A new Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) code has been established for the marching band/P.E. substitution. The new PEIMS code is entered under the Physical Education column of the student’s Academic Achievement Record. The code for the marching band physical education substitution credit is PES00012–PE Substitution Marching Band (½–1 unit) (SUBMB).
There are no specific semester designations for physical education substitutions. Marching band, however, is limited to one total credit for a physical education substitution. The duration during the fall semester of the marching band activity is also not mandated in the physical education substitution rule. Consequently, the physical education substitution requirement may be fulfilled at the conclusion of football season or the fall semester.
Furthermore, there is no P.E. substitution PEIMS code for the activity of color guard, but color guard students may receive a physical education substitution if they participate in the activity of marching band during the fall semester. Color guard or “winter guard” during the spring semester, though, may not serve as a physical education substitution credit because that particular activity is not considered “marching band.”
If you have additional questions, you may contact Thomas Waggoner at Thomas.Waggoner@tea.state.tx.us.