Timeline
- April 1, 2026, Deadline to submit questions
- April 15, 2026, Responses to submitted questions posted on NYSED Public Pages
- June 24, 2026, Deadline to submit RFI responses
- *All items due by 5pm EST on the dates listed above
- Links to RFI
- Questions and Submissions should be directed to: PhysEdRFI2026@nysed.gov
The NYS Education Department's Office of Standards and Instruction has released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from physical educators and partners about how physical education programs are currently structured and delivered across New York. The RFI will help inform the development of guidance and resources to support high quality, inclusive and developmentally appropriate physical education programs. This RFI is not intended to evaluate compliance with regulations; rather, it's an opportunity for NYSED to better understand current practices and emerging trends across the state so that future guidance and supports are grounded in the realities educators experience every day. They are especially interested in hearing about what is working well, what challenges exist, and where additional support or guidance may be needed.
Previous Initiatives
Timeline
- November 27, 2024, Deputy Commissioner William Murphy sent a proposal to amend Sections 52.21 and 80-3.7 of Title 8 NYCRR as noted above to the Board of Regents.
- December 9, 2024, NYSED Regents Committee on Higher Education proposed to the Board of Regents the above proposal.
- December 24, 2024, a notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the state register for a 60-day public comment period for the above proposal.
- The 60-day public comment period expires on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Regents Committee on Higher Education is considering amending Sections 52.21 and 80-3.7 of Title 8 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) related to content core requirements for additional teaching certificates in certain areas. The proposed amendment would allow candidates who are seeking more than one additional teaching certificate to complete 18 semester hours of study for the content core in the subject area of the additional certificate, rather than the 30 semester hours currently required. Health education and physical education are among the many special subject areas included in this proposed amendment.
NYS AHPERD is deeply concerned about the effects these changes will have on the quality health education and physical education programs all NYS students deserve. NYS AHPERD’s mission is to support health and physical literacy for all and these proposed amendments will diminish the value of our programs while undermining the teaching profession as a whole.
The 60-day public comment period deadline is fast approaching and NYS AHPERD is acting fast to be sure we are heard and with deep impact.
The NYSED Board of Regents approved the proposed changes in April 2025, officially reducing the required coursework for additional teaching certifications from 30 to 18 credits. While candidates must still pass the required certification exam, the change significantly lowers the content coursework requirement. Despite extensive public comment, the proposal was adopted without revisions and went into effect on April 23, 2025.