School Recess Bill Dies In Florida Senate

LUTZ, FL — Just one day after the Florida House voted to approve making 20 minutes of daily recess mandatory in public schools, the bill that would make it so appears to be dead on arrival in the Senate.

“I applaud and appreciate the passion, purpose and effort concerned parents have shown in promoting recess for our children,” said Sen. John Legg, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K–12, about the Senate version of the bill. “They should be commended for their hard work, success and impact they’re having on recess policies around the state.”

Even so, Legg, a Republican, expressed strong reservations about Tallahassee making such a mandate to local school districts.

“I completely support recess and giving our principals the ability to manage school-based issues,” Legg said. “The scheduling of the school day is best determined by our local education leaders, not a one-size-fits-all Tallahassee recess mandate. This proposed mandate removes a teacher’s ability to manage their classroom, and it fails to consider parental choice and the uniqueness of each student.”

See Also:

• Recess May Become Mandatory In Florida Schools

Legg went on to say that leaders on the local level should be “empowered with the discretion to manage their own schedule. Administrators, school board members, superintendents and parents are encouraged to engage in local recess solutions that work best for their community.”

The House version of the bill was approved by 112-2 on Thursday. Legg, however, has indicated his committee is not likely to take up the topic. That effectively blocks the measure from making it to the full Senate for a vote.

A lack of a uniform recess policy across the state made headlines last year year when a Polk County mother began a petition requesting 20 minutes of recess daily. The petition garnered hundreds of signatures.

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