Florida SB 556: Requirements for a Standard High School Diploma

Bill Text

556 
Requirements for a Standard High School Diploma 
2026-01-14T08:24:00Z 
Providing that students can substitute marching band experience for physical education and performing fine arts credit requirements for a standard high school diploma; providing that students with disabilities may participate in the Special Olympics to meet the physical education requirement for a standard high school diploma, etc. 
Committee Substitute 1 
2026 
S 
2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 
GB 
General Bill 
c1 

 Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 556 

 By the Committee on Education Pre-K - 12; and Senator Berman 

 581-01915-26 2026556c1 
 1 A bill to be entitled 
 2 An act relating to requirements for a standard high 
 3 school diploma; amending s. 1003.4282, F.S.; providing 
 4 that students can substitute marching band experience 
 5 for physical education and performing fine arts credit 
 6 requirements for a standard high school diploma; 
 7 providing that students with disabilities may 
 8 participate in the Special Olympics to meet the 
 9 physical education requirement for a standard high 
 10 school diploma; providing an effective date. 
 11 
 12 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 
 13 
 14 Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) and paragraph 
 15 (b) of subsection (8) of section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, 
 16 are amended to read: 
 17 1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school diploma.— 
 18 (3) STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; COURSE AND ASSESSMENT 
 19 REQUIREMENTS.— 
 20 (f) One credit in physical education.—Physical education 
 21 must include the integration of health. Participation in an 
 22 interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity level for 
 23 two full seasons shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in 
 24 physical education. A district school board may not require that 
 25 the one credit in physical education be taken during the 9th 
 26 grade year. Completion of 2 years of marching band shall satisfy 
 27 the one-credit requirement in physical education and or the one 
 28 credit requirement in performing arts. This credit may not be 
 29 used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the 
 30 requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual 
 31 education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Completion of one semester 
 32 with a grade of “C” or better in a marching band class, in a 
 33 physical activity class that requires participation in marching 
 34 band activities as an extracurricular activity, or in a dance 
 35 class shall satisfy one-half credit in physical education or 
 36 one-half credit in performing arts. This credit may not be used 
 37 to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement 
 38 for adaptive physical education under an IEP or 504 plan. 
 39 Completion of 2 years in a Reserve Officer Training Corps 
 40 (R.O.T.C.) class, a significant component of which is drills, 
 41 shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education 
 42 and the one-credit requirement in performing arts. This credit 
 43 may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or 
 44 the requirement for adaptive physical education under an IEP or 
 45 504 plan. 
 46 (8) STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.—Beginning with students 
 47 entering grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year, this subsection 
 48 applies to a student with a disability. 
 49 (b) The following options, in addition to the other options 
 50 specified in this section, may be used to satisfy the standard 
 51 high school diploma requirements, as specified in the student’s 
 52 individual education plan: 
 53 1. For a student with a disability for whom the IEP team 
 54 has determined that the Florida Alternate Assessment is the most 
 55 appropriate measure of the student’s skills: 
 56 a. A combination of course substitutions, assessments, 
 57 industry certifications, other acceleration options, or 
 58 occupational completion points appropriate to the student’s 
 59 unique skills and abilities that meet the criteria established 
 60 by State Board of Education rule. 
 61 b. A portfolio of quantifiable evidence that documents a 
 62 student’s mastery of academic standards through rigorous metrics 
 63 established by State Board of Education rule. A portfolio may 
 64 include, but is not limited to, documentation of work 
 65 experience, internships, community service, and postsecondary 
 66 credit. 
 67 2. A student with a disability may participate in the 
 68 Special Olympics as a course substitution for the physical 
 69 education requirement under paragraph (3)(f). A student who 
 70 chooses this option must participate in the Special Olympics for 
 71 one school year, as determined by the student’s IEP team. 
 72 3. For a student with a disability for whom the IEP team 
 73 has determined that mastery of academic and employment 
 74 competencies is the most appropriate way for a student to 
 75 demonstrate his or her skills: 
 76 a. Documented completion of the minim