Dive Brief:
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A new bill passed by New Jersey's legislature would require public school students in grades K-5 to have at least 20 minutes of recess every day, preferably outside.
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The law is an attempt to thwart inactivity and promote physical fitness, while allowing students to naturally develop social skills.
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Previously, no such rules around recess existed in the state.
Dive Insight:
Recess and physical education have gained increased attention as childhood obesity rates climb. In some schools nationwide, recess and physical education classes were previously cut back in order to allow students more time to focus on high-stakes standardized exams. But now, with the new Every Student Succeeds Act handing accountability powers back to states, the amount of tests given annually is expected to fall.
Efforts to address childhood obesity have also notably made their way into the cafeteria in recent years. And while Michelle Obama has claimed that her fight for a healthier school lunch standard will continue “to the bitter end,” that end is now fast approaching. Some hurdles have included students simply throwing away their healthy lunches, and a significantly higher cost for healthier lunch options.