Superintendent OKs New Phys-Ed Standard for ND Schools

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler has approved new state standards for physical education.

The standards outline physical skills in basketball, soccer and other activities that North Dakota students are expected to have at specific grade levels. Kindergarteners, for example, should be able to hit a ball with a paddle. Sixth graders should be able to make a pass to a moving receiver while standing still.

The guidelines also focus on what a student needs to learn to maintain lifelong habits for physical activity.

A committee of North Dakota instructors and physical education experts wrote and reviewed the standards during the past year.

North Dakota's physical education goals were last revised in 2008. The new standards take effect Sept. 1.