They’ve tried and failed in the past, but this year Arizona lawmakers think they may have a solution to expanding school recess for Arizona’s youngest students.
The House Education Committee voted Monday to require at least two recess periods during the school day for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Chris Kotterman with the Arizona School Board Association agrees it’s an improvement, but still takes on a matter of policy.
"And that policy is whether the state should mandate the frequency of recess for all students in grades K thru 5 in the state of Arizona regardless of local circumstance," Kotterman said.
Sponsors for the latest recess bill, which has already cleared the Senate, is more flexible and requires no minimums or set times for the school breaks.
They are backing up their bill with pediatric research showing children learn better when given proper play time.