Mandatory School Recess: N.J. Lawmakers Debate Bill

If a “mandatory recess” bill currently before the New Jersey State Legislature passes, your kids could be guaranteed 20 minutes of play per day.

The bill – S1549 – would require school districts to provide students from kindergarten to grade 5 with a 20-minute recess every day.

According to the bill’s sponsor in the State Senate, Shirley Turner (D-15), the main reasons for a mandatory recess would be to improve students’ health and allow kids to practice and learn social skills outside of a classroom setting.

“Currently, 16 percent of the nation’s children are overweight, and an increasing number of children are developing cardiovascular risk factors and type 2 diabetes,” the bill states. “The United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Department of Education, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommend that school-aged children should participate in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity.”

“Recess also affords a child the opportunity to practice skills such as cooperation, communication, and creativity, and a break from the day’s routine improves attention, focus, behavior, and learning in the classroom,” the bill reads. “Because recess is such a vital component of a comprehensive school physical activity program and the total educational experience for elementary school students, it is therefore in the best interest of the elementary students in this state that they be provided with a daily recess period.”

If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, the bill would take effect on the beginning of the first full school year following its passage.

In addition, the recess period “shall be held outdoors if feasible” and no student can be denied recess more than twice a week.

A school would not be allowed to use the recess period to satisfy its separate physical education requirement.

Exceptions are allowed for “a consequence of a harassment, intimidation, or bullying investigation,” “on the advice of a medical professional or school nurse” or “on a school day in which the day is substantially shortened due to a delayed opening or early dismissal.”

THE NEXT STEPS

First introduced in the NJ State Senate in 2014, the bill passed unanimously (39-0) in June.

It was reported out of the NJ State Assembly Education Committee on Nov. 16, and currently awaits a vote from the full Assembly, possibly as soon as this month, according to NJ Spotlight.

See the full text and history of the bill here.

• See related article: Why Kids Need Recess
• See related article: Florida Mom Fights for Recess in Schools

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