12-05-2025
Florida marching band students can get PE credit under new bill, what to know
Hauling a tuba is hard work, and Florida is ready to acknowledge that.
Florida marching band students can get credit for physical education or performing arts under new House Bill 1105, passed by the state Senate on May 2.
"This significant legislation acknowledges the rigorous physical activity involved in marching band and is another important step forward in supporting and enhancing music education in Florida's schools," the Florida Music Education Association posted on social media on May 10. "We look forward to the Governor's signature!"
HB 1105, an omnibus education bill containing a variety of initiatives that did not pass on their own, also prohibits students in elementary and middle schools from using wireless communications (such as cell phones and tablets) during the school day, and blocks high school students from using them in class without teacher permission.
The bill makes changes to state law to benefit charter schools, expands qualifications for Florida Bright Futures scholarships and assorted academic awards, adds more career or vocational options for dual education, course credits and graduation requirements, and requires school boards to develop a 3-year strategic plan to better align specific curriculums to meet local workforce needs. It also moves the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Legal Affairs to Florida Memorial University.
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Currently, Florida students must complete one credit in physical education to get a high school diploma. Florida statutes already allowed completion of one semester with a grade of "C" or better in a marching band class or in a PE class that required participation in marching band activities to count as one-half credit toward the PE requirement.
Under HB 1105, "Completion of 2 years of marching band shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education or the one-credit requirement in performing arts."
The credit may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual education plan (IEP) or 504 plan.
If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis or allowed to become law without his signature, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: High school marching band counts as physical education in Florida bill
