Bill To Increase Recess Time In Public Schools Passes In House

By Holliday Moore
Published: Thursday, February 23, 2017 - 5:50pm

Arizona’s public schools are at the half-way point to approving a mandatory-recess bill.

The House proposal would require schools offer at least 50 minutes of recess throughout a regular day of school for children in first through fifth grades. In Arizona’s largest elementary school district, recess for fifth-graders is capped at 20 minutes. 

Those in favor of expanding the recess say it will help students better focus when in class. The few lawmakers who voted against it are worried there is no more time for play. 

House representatives passed the bill with bipartisan support.  It now goes onto the Senate for debate.