Relative to California Physical Education Week.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Darsh Patel

ACR 181 designates May 1–7, 2026 as California Physical Education Week to promote high-quality PE by credentialed teachers and review statewide instructional practices.

From printer.

#californiaphysicaleducationweek

Purpose and intent

ACR 181 proclaims a designated period called California Physical Education Week.

Specifically, it designates May 1, 2026, to May 7, 2026, inclusive, as California Physical Education Week, aligning with National Physical Education and Sport Week.

The measure encourages educators, policymakers, and school leaders to emphasize high-quality physical education instruction throughout the state.

Key provisions and changes

Official designation: Establishes a statewide observance for California Physical Education Week during the first full week of May 2026.

Scope of “physical education”: Clarifies that the term includes both general physical education and adapted physical education.

Educational goals and rationale (as stated in the Legislative Digest language):

Physical education helps develop physical, mental, and social health across lifespan.
High-quality PE supports literacy, social-emotional learning, positive school culture, and engagement across content areas.
PE is an integral component of a well-rounded education and contributes to readiness in college, military, career, and vocational pursuits.
Physical fitness is linked to improved cognitive functions (attention, memory, self-regulation, executive functioning) and academic engagement.
Emphasizes that California students are increasingly less active and that PE is essential for developing cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills.
High-quality PE instruction contributes to state priorities including literacy, SEL, school culture, and STEM.

Encouragement to act: Asserts that all teachers, policymakers, and school leaders should strive to provide high-quality PE instruction delivered by credentialed physical education teachers.

Review opportunity: Frames California Physical Education Week as a time for education leaders and state policymakers to collaboratively review current PE instructional practices and consider recommendations to enhance PE quality for all pupils.

Administrative action: Directs the Chief Clerk of the Assembly to transmit copies of the resolution to the author for distribution.

Who or what would be affected

Public K-12 education in California, including:

Physical education teachers (especially credentialed physical education specialists)
School administrators, district policymakers, and state education policymakers
Schools and districts considering or evaluating PE curricula and instructional quality

While largely ceremonial, the resolution signals statewide emphasis on improving and prioritizing physical education and related outcomes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced in April 2026 (April 21, 2026) by Assembly Member Darsh Patel (co-sponsor listed).

Action history: Printed and ready for consideration as of April 22, 2026.

No substantive funding changes or new program requirements are enacted by the resolution itself; rather, it designates a commemorative week and encourages higher-quality PE instruction and review of practices.

The measure serves an advocacy and awareness function, potentially guiding future policy discussions or supplemental PE initiatives.

Practical takeaway

ACR 181 designates a seven-day window in May 2026 to lift the profile of physical education in California schools, promote high-quality PE by credentialed teachers, and provide a framework for evaluating and potentially improving PE practices statewide. It emphasizes the broad benefits of PE for academic and lifelong health outcomes and aligns with national physical education observances.

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