Mandatory recess for grade schoolers approved despite objections
The Washington State Senate at work during the 2023 legislative session.
Rebecca Pettingill
OLYMPIA — Elementary schools will be required to give students 30 minutes of recess every day and teachers would be prohibited from denying recess as a disciplinary measure under a bill that passed the state Senate last week despite objections.
The bill, ESSB 5257, was sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles, D-Fircrest, and passed with a vote of 28-21.
“Play is critical to positive youth development. What we know about recess is it can lower cortisol levels, it can increase problem-solving and it can help our students build relationships with each other when they are playing,” Nobles said.
Some lawmakers argued a teacher’s ability to take away recess is the only appropriate form of leverage they have to counter defiant behavior.
“I think the underlying bill is overly prescriptive and could create quite a bit of challenge to school districts throughout the state,” said Sen. Brad Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee. “The appropriate venue to deal with this bill is for parents within their local communities with their locally elected school boards, not the Washington State Senate.”
The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives.
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