Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 3 (2026)

Physical education

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 3. Physical education shall be taught as a required subject in all grades for all students in the public schools for the purpose of promoting the physical well-being of such students. Instruction in physical education may include calisthenics, gymnastics and military drill; but no pupil shall be required to take part in any military exercise if his parent or guardian is of any religious denomination conscientiously opposed to bearing arms, or is himself so opposed, and the school committee is so notified in writing; and no pupil shall be required to take part in physical education exercises if a licensed physician certifies in writing that in his opinion such physical education exercises would be injurious to the pupil.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 7 cases, 1929–2005 · leading case: Worcester Vocational Teachers Ass'n v. City of Worcester, 429 N.E.2d 718 (Mass. App. Ct. 1982).

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Worcester Vocational Teachers Ass'n v. City of Worcester, 429 N.E.2d 718 (Mass. App. Ct. 1982). · cites it 9× “The action sought a declaration that the board’s decision on April 9, 1981, to eliminate all physical education programs for the approximately 1,600 students attending the city’s two vocational secondary schools violated G. L. c. 71, § 3, as appearing in St. 1979, c.”

Sharon v. City of Newton, 769 N.E.2d 738 (Mass. 2002). “Compare G. L. c. 71, § 3 (“[pjhysical education shall be taught as a required subject in all grades for all students in the public schools .”

McInnis v. Town of Tewksbury, 473 N.E.2d 1160 (Mass. App. Ct. 1985). “See G. L. c. 71, § 3, as appearing in St. 1979, c.”

Shawsheen Valley Reg'l Vocational Technical Sch. Dist. Sch. Comm. v. Massachusetts Bureau of Special Educ. Appeals, 367 F. Supp. 2d 44 (D. Mass. 2005). “Shawsheen notes that M.G.L. c. 71, § 3 mandates that physical education be taught as a required course in all grades for all students in the public school system.”

Brine v. City of Cambridge, 265 Mass. 452 (Mass. 1929). “When G. L. c. 71, § 3, providing for instruction in calisthenics, gymnastics and military drill, was enacted no provision was made for the purchase of appropriate gymnasium or military clothing, nor was any such provision made in connection with the provision for compulsory…”

Berger v. Massachusetts Dep't of Educ., 2 Mass. Supp. 558 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1981). “G.L. c. 71, § 3 states in pertinent part: "Physical education shall be taught as a required subject in all grades for all students in the public schools for the purpose of promoting the physical well-being of such students.”

Ruiz v. Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Ass'n, 11 Mass. L. Rptr. 649 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2000). “” G.L.c. 71, §3. The taxes imposed on the constituents of each district fund different programs within the public schools.”

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