Tennessee Bill Proposes Increased Recess, Physical Activity for Students

Tennessee lawmakers are advancing a bill that seeks to increase recess time for elementary students from the current 130 minutes per week to a minimum of 60 minutes per school day. The legislation, championed by Representative Scott Cepicky and Senator Joey Hensley, also mandates that middle and high school students receive 90 minutes of physical activity weekly. Proponents argue that the lack of adequate recess is detrimental to students' educational outcomes, with advocates comparing current break times unfavorably to labor laws for adults. However, some educators express concerns regarding potential scheduling conflicts that additional recess time could create. The bill is currently under consideration by the House’s Education Committee and is slated for further legislative review. If approved, the new requirements would take effect on July 1, 2025.