Off Campus Physical Education (OCPE)
The purpose of the OCPE Program is to accommodate students wishing to participate in or develop higher-level skills in an activity that is not offered through the general physical education program. The OCPE program allows students in 6th through 12th grades to earn credits that meet the district and state physical education requirements. The OCPE Program is a partnership between Anna Independent School District and approved off-campus
agencies to provide activities such as equestrian, gymnastics, Judo, martial arts, hockey, swimming, and figure skating, among others.
General Information for Students and Parents
Students approved for the OCPE Program will be expected to be physically educated along with being physically active. In addition to the physical activity offered at each agency, students will be taught a TEKS-based curriculum and have assignments and tests on the material. Students will receive a numerical grade at the end of each nine weeks’ grading period and a final numerical grade for the semester. The campus PE staff and administrator supervise the OCPE program standards to ensure that each student receives a quality, off-campus physical education experience.
Students may participate in either Category I or Category II. Students approved for Category II may earn 0.5 credits per semester for a total of 1.0 credit (2 semesters) toward their physical education requirement. High school students approved for Category I may earn up to a total of 4.0 credits (8 semesters). This total includes their high school physical education graduation requirement (1.0 credit) and up to 3.0 credits to be counted as state elective credits. Students may not be enrolled in OCPE and any other general Physical Education class or Physical Education substitution (Athletics, Dance, etc) during the same semester.
In order for a waiver to be granted, Anna Schools will follow the guidelines set by the law as stated in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.11(d)(7)(C). The term “appropriate” implies, among other things, that the substitute activity is in congruence with the Physical Education Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) as closely as possible, if not above, and beyond the rigor of the standards.
OCPE Categories Eligibility and Expectations
Category I
Eligibility
Students must participate in high-quality activities under professional supervision by exceptionally trained instructors at a private or commercially-sponsored agency:
- a minimum of 15 hours a week at one approved facility. (The hours may not include travel time.)
- a minimum of four days during the week (Monday through Friday), plus one additional day that may fall on a weekend or during the week for a total of 5 days per week.
Expectations
- Students may leave campus one class period early, AM or PM, and must make arrangements to be off campus grounds at the designated release time each school day. Students are not permitted to remain on campus during their OCPE class period.
- Students must maintain a passing average in all classes and good citizenship.
Category II
Eligibility
Students must participate in high-quality activities under professional supervision by appropriately trained instructors at a private or commercially-sponsored agency:
- a minimum of 5 hours per week
Expectations
Students certified to participate at this level may NOT be dismissed from any part of the regular school day.
Student and Parent Responsibilities
1. All documentation from parents, agency/instructors, and counselors must be completed and submitted by the required deadlines. It is suggested that parents and students start this process at least 2-3 weeks before the deadline to meet all the documentation requirements and obtain signatures. Incomplete or delinquent information will result in the denial of the student application.
2. Students may only participate with one agency at a time. Credit cannot be issued for summer activities.
3. Students must participate 15 hours per week for Category I or 5 hours per week for Category II at the approved agency from the beginning of each semester and continue through the entire semester (total of 18 weeks) or transfer into a general PE class to receive 0.5 credits for Physical Education, with the approval of the PE Supervisor. For the OCPE Program, 1-1½ hours of participation is equivalent to one day of attendance or absence.
4. All students must earn a numerical grade of 70 or higher to pass each OCPE course. By signing the OCPE program application, the student, parent, and OCPE agency coordinator understand and acknowledge that this program will substitute for a PE course, a numeric grade will be issued, and that failure to complete any of the program requirements or submit information in a timely manner may result in the student receiving a failing grade.
5. As in all classes, Category I and II OCPE students must meet the 90% attendance rule.
The OCPE Attendance Policy:
Excused Absences: An excused absence occurs when a student is absent from class due to a UIL school function or illness verified by a doctor or parent note. Note: A Category I OCPE student may be granted excused absence(s) for a state and/or national level competition. A maximum of five days per school year may be missed with required documentation. See page 1 for more information.
Unexcused Absences: An unexcused absence occurs when a student is ill without a doctor or parent note, attending a non-UIL school function/outside school activity without a parent note or choosing not to attend a scheduled OCPE class.
6. Students must continue to attend agency classes if injured. They will receive alternative physical activities when necessary, but still must meet the minimum required hours per week based on their category. If the injury extends beyond 1 week, a doctor’s note must be given to the OCPE agency coordinator specifying what the student can and cannot do and when they can return to full participation. The agency coordinator must contact the campus administration for further assistance if the injury/illness extends beyond 1 week.
7. Parents/students should ensure OCPE is placed on the student’s schedule by their campus during the first six weeks of school. Grades submitted by the agency should appear on each report card. If they do not, please contact the student’s counselor immediately. 8. Students are subject to random drug testing.
Agency Information
Agency Responsibilities
1. Agency shall designate an OCPE agency coordinator who will be solely responsible for training all instructors to ensure that all OCPE Program requirements are being met. Every agency must have at least 2 approved instructors. The coordinator can be listed as an instructor if appropriate.
2. Agency shall provide a clean and safe environment in which students are “well supervised,” meaning an approved instructor shall be present at all times during the scheduled activity to provide guidance, instruction, and to ensure safety.
3. Agency premises at which AISD students receive services must be located within 40 miles of AISD school boundaries.
4. Agency shall provide an alternative place and plan for students participating in the OCPE Program when there is inclement weather.
5. Agency shall provide students with an opportunity to meet the required weekly hours, depending on their Category. Competition/Game participation will not count towards Category II required hours.
6. Agency shall meet with AISD personnel during an announced or unannounced site visit. AISD is expecting to see evidence of learned Physical Education TEKS. AISD will be looking for skill development, learned physical activity and health concepts, and social development by observing students participating in appropriate activities and reviewing the students’ OCPE workbook.
7. Agency shall ensure that all local ordinances and state and federal laws are observed in its provision of services to AISD students, including but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 USC §1232g, et seq., 34 CFR §99.1, et seq.
Agency Coordinator and Instructor Responsibilities
1. The OCPE agency coordinator shall ensure that all instructors are “appropriately trained” for Category II or “exceptionally trained” for Category I, meaning that the agency shall provide certification and/or documentation of instructor training and experience.
2. The OCPE agency coordinator shall ensure that all instructors teach and discuss the agreed-upon Physical Education TEKS curriculum during scheduled practices and/or scheduled OCPE Program instruction time.
3. The OCPE agency coordinator shall ensure that all instructors are following the weekly Physical Education TEKS curriculum workbook assignment schedule and that all OCPE students are completing the appropriate assignment(s).
4. The OCPE agency coordinator shall ensure that all instructors provide numerical grades based on the AISD-OCPE Grading Policy, which includes student written work, student participation, test scores, and any additional Agency assignments.
5. The OCPE agency coordinator shall provide the required documentation (student grade and attendance form) to the student’s school data processor, counselors, and AISD OCPE Specialist on or before the identified date provided by the Health and Physical Education Supervisor. AISD will provide
a copy of the school year calendar and the grading report due dates prior to the start of the school year. The calendar may also be accessed at www.annaisd.org.
6. The OCPE agency coordinator shall notify the AISD Health and Physical Education Supervisor and the school counselor if a student chooses to transfer into a general physical education class and/or does not meet the 90% Anna ISD Health & Physical Education Revised 02/2018 Page 5 attendance
requirement. For the OCPE Program, 1-11⁄2 hours of participation is equivalent to one day of attendance or absence. TEA states the attendance requirement must be met weekly.
7. In the event a Category I OCPE student is absent from school due to state and/or national level competition, the District shall make no distinction between absences for UIL activities and absences for Category I OCPE activities.
8. A Category I OCPE student may be granted excused absence(s) for a state and/or national level competition. A maximum of five days per school year may be missed. The Agency must provide written notification two weeks prior to the competition and must be sent to the Health and Physical Education
Supervisor explaining the date(s), place, and time of the state and/or national level competition. The Health and Physical Education Supervisor will then notify the student’s campus.
9. The OCPE campus designee must provide AISD with the current instructor(s) contact information, teaching credentials, CPR certification, Texas and National Background Checks at least two weeks prior to the start of the school semester.
10. The OCPE Agency Coordinator shall NOT sign OCPE Program applications after the deadline dates have passed. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Process
❏ Students will be scheduled for physical education classes based on their physical education requirement needs until OCPE application has been approved.
❏ Students may obtain the OCPE program application at the button below.
❏ Students must take the application to the agency to have the Agency OCPE Coordinator sign the application. Agencies MUST be approved by Campus Administration.
❏ Students must provide their student identification number, counselor name and contact information, campus data processor name and contact information.
❏ Students must then obtain their school counselor or principal’s signature on the application.
❏ Counselors should conference with students to discuss graduation requirements and to determine if the student needs the OCPE credit.
❏ The OCPE student application must be received by the campus administration via email or hand delivered before the deadline. Note: It is the responsibility of the student/parent to submit completed applications. Counselors or agencies should not submit student applications.
❏ Parent/student and OCPE agency should keep a copy of this application for their records.
❏ After applications are reviewed by the campus, confirmation emails will be sent to counselors. Counselors will then notify students and make appropriate schedule changes. OCPE will then be displayed on the student’s schedule and report card.
❏ Parents and students should confirm that OCPE appears on the student’s schedule within the first few weeks of the semester and that the student has received a numerical grade on their report card every six weeks.
❏ A new OCPE Program Application must be submitted each school year
Anna ISD OCPE Program Information
Application Deadlines
July 1st for 1st Semester Participation
December 1st for 2nd Semester Participation