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Some Schools Finding New Recess Mandates Challenging: Parents Aren't Having It
By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer aka The Recess Doctor
Varying Points of View
There are always two sides to everything. Parents, some of whom have advocated legislatively for daily recess in schools, are frustrated with how the new mandated recess is being implemented. Take for example, a school in Tennessee (who will remain nameless) that is facing a new law which requires students to have at least 130 minutes each week of recess which averages out to about 26 minutes a day for physical activity. This school, facing the new mandate, added the recess time to the end of the school day. A school spokesperson cited the new recess regulation.
Tennessee Code § 49-6-1021 requires students in elementary school to have 130 minutes of physical activity each school week, including at least 15 minutes a day.
As a retired principal I can understand the School’s Point of View.
· Teaching Language Arts and Math first thing when children are fresh, rested and ready to learn provides the best setting for academic success.
· When the school blocks out uninterrupted time for these two core areas and makes a commitment to limited or zero exceptions, then the school staff understands the emphasis on these two curricular areas.
· A schoolwide commitment and limited interruptions, has been shown to improve student learning in these important areas.
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