What is the new school recess law in California?

Newsom signs bill requiring minimum amount of recess time. California students in kindergarten through eighth grade will have a mandatory 30-minute recess break beginning with the 2024-25 school year, thanks to a new law recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Is there a new law for recess in California?

That law, Senate Bill 291, defines what “recess” really means: free, unstructured time to play and socialize. It also requires that elementary students receive at least 30 minutes every day and makes it illegal for educators to take that time away as punishment. The law will go into effect next school year.

What are the new school laws in California 2024?

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE) – The new year is bringing new state laws that will have an impact on students' education. In an effort to keep students in the classroom learning schools will no longer be able to suspend or expel students for what is known as “willful defiance”.

How long is California recess?

New California law guarantees 30-minute recess break for school-aged children. School-aged kids across California will have a mandatory 30-minute recess break starting with the 2024-25 school year under a bill Gov.

Is recess a right or a privilege?

It is not a reward. Children should not have to earn recess, and they should not miss recess as a punishment. Because recess is such a vital part of students' development, taking it away from children makes as much sense as taking away math, reading, or spelling.

New California law guarantees 30-minute recess break for school-aged children

Can you take recess away as punishment?

Recess should not be withheld as punishment

Recess should be approached with the same importance as other learning opportunities. Alternatives for withholding recess as punishment include: Focus on positive rewards rather than punishment, such as offering extra recess for good behavior.

In what states is recess mandatory?

There's no official count of states that mandate recess. According to a count by the National Association of State Boards of Education, there are nine: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.

Is it illegal to withhold recess in California?

Under the new law, educators can no longer hold students in from a recess break as a form of punishment or discipline unless their participation would pose an immediate threat to themselves or the safety of other students.

Why have schools cut recess time?

But there is also evidence that recess time is being cut short all over the country for reasons unrelated to weather. Schools report that recess has been cut back to reallocate time for academic learning. In addition, withholding recess is commonly used as a punishment or tool to drive desired behavioral outcomes.

Is 15 minutes of recess enough?

But studies show that at least 20 minutes of recess daily, along with 150 minutes of physical education a week, make a measurable difference in children's weight. Beyond the physical benefits, recess is important for kids emotionally and cognitively.

Is Saturday school legal in California?

Section 37223 - Saturday or Sunday classes (a)The governing board of any elementary, high school, or unified school district or any county superintendent of schools may maintain classes on Saturday or Sunday, or both.

Is it illegal for kids to not go to school in California?

California compulsory education law requires everyone between the ages of six and eighteen years of age to attend school, except students who have graduated from high school or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam and obtained parental permission.

Is skipping school illegal in California?

The California Legislature defined a truant in very precise language. In summary, it states that a student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse three times during the school year must be classified as a truant and reported to the proper school authority.

What are some recess rules?

Should schools ban recess?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess is “crucial and necessary” for a child's development and should never be withheld to make room for more academics or as punishment. On top of the health benefits, recess also enhances creative thinking, focus, and social skills like cooperation and sharing.

How much time should recess be?

How Long Should Recess Be? The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend at least 20 minutes of recess a day.

Does recess improve grades?

Recess benefits students by: Increasing their level of physical activity. Improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Helping them stay on-task in the classroom.

Why should recess be longer than 15 minutes?

Recess needs to be longer so that there is ample time for students to deal with different types of situations. Teachers barely have time to interact with students in between lessons. Recess gives students and teachers time to interact and communicate out of the classroom.

Why teachers should not take away recess?

Experts argue that recess is necessary for a child's social and academic development, and skipping it as punishment for misbehavior or to accommodate more seat time is a serious mistake.

What is the silly law in California?

You may only throw a frisbee at the beach in Los Angeles County with the lifeguard's permission. In Los Angeles, it is illegal for a man to beat his wife with a strap wider than 2 inches without her consent. In Los Angeles, it is against the law to lick a toad. Zoot suits are prohibited in Los Angeles.

Can a teacher not let you go to the bathroom in California?

Under California law, students have the right to reasonable restroom access during school hours. If your children's teacher is consistently preventing them from using the restroom, it may raise concerns about their well-being and comfort in the classroom.

Is it a right to sit law in California?

According to KPCC News, the California Supreme Court has ruled that “all employees are entitled to a seat at work.”

Can teachers take away recess as a punishment?

Physical activity during the school day and in before‐ and after‐school programs (including but not limited to recess, physical activity breaks, or physical education) will not be withheld as punishment, nor will the running of laps or the assignment of other physical tasks, such as push‐ups, be used as a punishment.

What states is it illegal to withhold recess?

States of Play

At least five have a recess law on the books: Missouri, Florida, New Jersey, and Rhode Island mandate 20 minutes of recess daily for elementary students, while Arizona requires two recess periods without specifying a length.

What happens if students don't get recess?

In their study, they found that children who weren't receiving an appropriate amount of recess showed declines in their understanding of social structure, emotional development, language, and had weaker coping mechanisms, overall.