Physical Education
Physical Education
Ohio law requires Ohio districts and schools to develop curriculum for physical education. Schools are required to offer physical education each year to all students in grades kindergarten through 8; however, the law does not specify the number of hours required for students in grades kindergarten through 8. Students in grades 9 through 12 must obtain 120 hours to meet graduation requirements. Scheduling of physical education instructional hours is determined by the local district or school.
Webpages featured below include physical education information, supporting each part of Ohio’s educational system: Ohio’s Learning Standards for Physical Education, physical education evaluation materials, and additional resources educators may find useful.
Health Education
Ohio Revised Code 3313.60(A)(5) requires schools and districts to include health education and other related topics at various times throughout its K-12 curriculum. The webpages featured below provide legislative requirements and resources to help support the development of a school’s or district’s health curriculum.
- Opioid Abuse Prevention
- Health education must include instruction on prescription opioid abuse prevention, with an emphasis on the prescription drug epidemic and the connection between prescription opioid abuse and addiction to other drugs, such as heroin.
- Child Sexual Abuse, Dating Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention
- Schools are required to provide developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention to students in grades K-6.
- Schools are required to provide developmentally appropriate instruction in dating violence and sexual violence prevention education during health education to students in grades 7-12.
- Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention, and Social Inclusion
- Students in grades K-6 are required to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of evidence-based instruction in suicide awareness and prevention.
- Students in grades 6-12 are required to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of instruction in safety training and violence prevention.
- Students in grades 6-12 are required to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of evidence-based instruction in social inclusion.
- Harms of Electronic Smoking Devices
- Health education instruction must include instruction on the harmful effects of and legal restrictions against the use of drugs of abuse, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco, including electronic smoking devices.
- CPR and AED Requirements
- Schools are required to provide instruction in CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to all students. Ohio Revied Code 3313.60(A)(8) states "first aid, including a training program in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which shall comply with section 3313.6021 of the Revised Code when offered in any of grades 9-12, safety, and fire prevention."
- Sexually Transmitted Infection Education
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Last Modified: 4/14/2026 3:15:58 PM
Pursuant to ORC 3301.079 (B) (3) and 3313.60, it is the responsibility of Ohio's local boards of education to vet and approve curriculum and educational materials for use in the public schools within their district. The use of any materials posted or linked to on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website, including materials within Ohio’s Learning Standards or Appendices or any state model curricula or other educational resource material, is entirely up to the discretion of each local board of education.