The list below represents state physical activity and recess requirements and policy recommendations.
Arkansas
General Physical Activity Requirement: Act 317 (2007) requires 90 minutes of additional physical activity per week for grades K-6, which may include physical education in addition to the general physical education requirement, daily recess, or intramural sports.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: HR1023 (2008) urges school districts to provide a mid-morning and mid-afternoon recess of at least ten minutes for all students in grades K-6.
California
General Physical Activity Requirement: No state policy. However, Education Code 49432 (2001) allows every public school to post a summary of nutrition and physical activity laws and regulations and requires the posting of the district’s policies in all school cafeterias or other central eating area in public view.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: Code 33350 (1976) encourages districts to provide daily recess periods for elementary school students. CCR Title 5, Div 1, Chap 2, Subchap 1, Art 2, Sec 304 (no date available) requires every pupil to leave the room at recess “unless it would occasion an exposure of health.” CCR Title 5, Div 1, Chap 2, Subchap 1, Art 3, Sec 352 states that a student shall not be required to remain in school during intermission at noon, or during any recess.
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General Physical Activity Requirement: HB 11-1069 (2011) requires each school district board of education to adopt a policy that incorporates a minimum number of minutes of physical activity each month, or each day if the school meets less than 5 days per week, into each elementary school student’s schedule. The requirement for students who attend 5 days per week for a full day is 600 minutes per month. The state charter school institute must ensure that each institute charter school, working with its school accountability committee, adopts and implements a physical activity policy that complies with the minimum requirements for a school district policy. If a school currently provides more than the minimum required minutes of physical activity, it cannot reduce the number of minutes except for budgetary reasons. A school cannot substitute noninstructional physical activity for standards-based physical education instruction.
Connecticut
General Physical Activity Requirement.: The State Board of Education’s Position Statement on Nutrition and Physical Activity (2005) states that local school boards should establish policies and procedures that, help schools promote regular physical activity.” Local boards should also require schools to allow time in the curriculum for physical activity and to incorporate these concepts throughout all subjects”. Physical activity goals should also be incorporated into school improvement plans.
The Action Guide for School Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies (2009) provides guidelines and policy recommendations to local districts for physical activity, along with other areas.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: While not specifying “recess,” Chapter 170 Section 10-221 (2003) requires each local and regional board of education to include a period of physical exercise in the regular school day for students in grades K-5. Public Act 12-116 (2012) requires a period of not less than 20 minutes total.
District of Columbia
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: Section 401 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 states that schools shall have the goal for children to engage in physical activity for 60 minutes each day. Schools shall promote this goal and seek to maximize physical activity, including promoting active recess.
Hawaii
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: State Board of Education Policy 1110-6 (2006) requires the Department of Education to establish regulations or guidelines for physical activity. The resulting Wellness Guidelines (2006) requires public schools to provide all students in all grades with at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, during which schools must encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity. At the middle and high school levels, the policy is interpreted as requiring schools to provide the means to be physically active (intramurals, equipment, etc). The policy must be implemented by the 2010-2011 school year.
The Wellness Guidelines (2006) state that schools may not use physical activity as a punishment nor withhold opportunities for physical activity as punishment.
General Physical Activity Requirement: No state policy. However, State Board of Education Policy 1110-6 (2006) requires the Department of Education to establish regulations or guidelines for physical activity. The resulting Wellness Guidelines (2006) requires public schools to provide all students in all grades with at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, during which schools must encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Iowa
General Physical Activity Requirement: Iowa Code 256.11(6) (2009) requires physically able students in K-5 to engage in physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes per school day, grades 6-12 minimum of 120 minutes per week. Exemptions may be granted on the basis of conflict with religious beliefs, upon a written request from a parent. For students in grades 6-12, the requirement may be met by participation in interscholastic athletics, school-sponsored marching band, show choir, dance, drill, cheer or similar activities, specified nonschool sports activities, or similar endeavors that involve movement, manipulation or exertion of the body.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: The model Iowa Association of School Board’s Model Wellness Policy (2010), include a physical activity component. Specifically, at least 20 minutes a day of recess are recommended, preferably outdoors, that encourages moderate-vigorous activity and discourages more than two hours of inactivity a day. The policy also recommends withholding recess should not be used as a tool for punishment.
Illinois
General Physical Activity Requirement: No state policy. However, 105 ICLS 5/2.137(2005) requires the State Board of Education to establish a program that recognizes schools that have implemented programs that increase the physical activity of students and have adopted policies/programs to promote healthy nutritional choices. Public Act 096-1223 (2010) requires the State Board of Education to develop and maintain a nutritional and physical activity best practices database. The database must contain results of any wellness-related fitness testing done by local school districts, as well as information on successful programs and policies implemented by local school districts designed to improve nutrition and physical activity in the public schools. The database must be readily accessible to all local school districts statewide.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: No state policy. However, recess may count toward the daily physical education mandate 105 ILCS 5/27-6 (1996) at the elementary level as long as it is supervised by a certified teacher.
Kansas
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: The Wellness Policy Guidelines (2010) approved by the State Board of Education recommends elementary schools provide at least 20 minutes of supervised recess daily, preferably outdoors. The “Advanced” level includes periodic breaks during which students are encouraged to stand and be moderately active. The “Exemplary” level includes opportunities for physical activity regularly incorporated into other subject areas, and classroom teachers provide short physical activity breaks between lessons or classes, as appropriate.
Kentucky
General Physical Activity Requirement: Revised Statute 160.345 (2005) requires local wellness policies to be developed only for LEAs containing grades K-5. The policy must include moderate to vigorous physical activity each day and encourage healthy choices among students. The policy may permit physical activity to be considered part of the instructional day, not to exceed 30 minutes per day, or 150 minutes per week. LEAs must also adopt an assessment tool to determine each child’s level of physical activity on an annual basis.
Louisiana
General Physical Activity Requirement: RS 17:17.1 (2009) requires each public K-8 elementary school to provide a minimum of 30 minutes each school day of quality moderate to rigorous physical activity for students. For those students under IEPs, suitable adapted physical activity is required and for those students not enrolled in a physical education course at a secondary school, they are encouraged to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity, commensurate with the ability of the student, for at least 30 minutes per day. The statute additionally requires the school board to report to the State Board on their compliance with this policy.
Michigan
General Physical Activity Requirement: The State Board of Education Model Policy on Quality Physical Education and Physical Activity in Schools recommends that all public schools offer daily opportunities for physical activity, both structured and unstructured, apart from the physical education program, for all students K-12. Recommendations include offering at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity during the school day, outside of the physical education class. This includes at least 20 minutes of scheduled recess and/or daily periods of physical activity breaks incorporated throughout the day for all grades. In addition, physical activity, including recess, may not be denied or used for disciplinary reasons, or to make up lessons or class work. All teachers should be trained in how to integrate physical activity into their classrooms. Sedentary time should be limited to less than 2 hours at one time.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: State Board of Education Model Policy on Quality Physical Education and Physical Activity in Schools recommends that all public schools offer daily opportunities for physical activity, both structured and unstructured, apart from the physical education program, for all students K-12. Recommendations include offering at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity during the school day, outside of the physical education class. This includes at least 20 minutes of scheduled recess and/or daily periods of physical activity breaks incorporated throughout the day for all grades.
The Michigan State Board of Education’s Policies for Creating Effective Learning Environments (2000) recommends that public schools offer daily recess or physical activity periods for elementary and middle school students, and offer physical education programs at all grade levels with accommodations for students who need them. The Model Local Wellness Policy (2005) recommends districts adopt policies for implementing programs that are conducive to physical activity. Further, the Board assigns public schools the duty to help students and families make good, lifelong, and beneficial health choices. Recess is also recommended in the State Board’s Policy on Quality Physical Education (2003).
Minnesota
General Physical Activity Requirement: No state policy requiring physical activity. However, the Healthy Kids Bill (2010) establishes the Healthy Kids Award program to reward K-12 schools that implement policies and practices that create opportunities for students to be physically active and make healthy food choices throughout the school day. The program seeks to integrate physical activity into non-physical education classes, recess, and extracurricular activities throughout the day in addition to the physical education received in physical education classes.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: The Healthy Kids Bill (2010) encourages the Department of Education to develop guidelines that local districts can adopt to promote quality recess practices and behaviors that engage all students, increase their activity levels, build social skills, and decrease behavioral levels.
Missouri
General Physical Activity Requirement: MRS 167.720 (2009) requires districts to ensure that elementary students participate in a moderate physical activity for the entire school year, for an average of 150 minutes per five-day school week, or an average of 30 minutes per day. This also includes students in alternative education programs. Students with disabilities shall participate in a moderate physical activity to the extent appropriate as determined by the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The statute does not require but allows students in middle schools to participate in at least 225 minutes of physical activity per school week, at the schools. The elementary requirement may be met by additional physical education instruction, or by other activities approved by the individual school district under the direction of any certified teacher or administrator, or another school employee under their supervision.
Mississippi
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks No state policy, although in State Board Policy 4011 the Mississippi Department of Education recognizes that moving recess before lunch, through a simple schedule change, may provide many benefits for students in grades K-12.
Montana
North Carolina
General Physical Activity Requirement: State Board of Education Policy GCS-S-000 (2005) requires schools to provide a minimum of 30 minutes daily of moderate to vigorous physical activity to all K-8 students. This may be completed through regular physical education, physical activities, recess, dance, classroom energizers, or other curriculum based physical education activity program. The physical activity must involve physical exertion of at least a moderate to vigorous intensity level and for a duration sufficient to provide a significant health benefit to students.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: Although there is no specific recess requirement, State Board State Board of Education Policy GCS-S-000 (2005) requires schools to provide a minimum of 30 minutes daily of moderate to vigorous physical activity to all K-8 students. Recess is often used to fulfill this requirement. In addition, the policy prohibits taking away structured/unstructured recess and other physical activity from students as a form of punishment. In addition, it prohibits using severe and inappropriate exercise as a form of punishment for students.
New Hampshire
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: State Board of Education Rule Ed 310.04 (2005) requires the developmentally appropriate daily physical activity policy to encourage physical activity recess periods.”
New Mexico
General Physical Activity Requirement: No state policy requiring physical activity. However, 6.12.6 NMAC (2006) requires each school district and charter school to develop and implement a policy that addresses student and employee wellness through a coordinated school health approach to include guidelines to provide physical activity opportunities, other than physical education, to students before, during and/or after school.
The School District Wellness Policy Guidance document contains a Physical Activities template that lists numerous types of physical activities that could be included in a local school physical activities policy. The template also recommends that schools not withhold student physical activity time (recess, physical activity breaks, etc.) as punishment.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: The School Wellness Policy Guidance Document recommends that schools provide a daily recess for all elementary students. It also recommends that all districts prohibit withholding physical activity (physical education class, recess, etc) as a means/method of punishment.
Nevada
General Physical Activity Requirement: The Statewide School Wellness Policy (2006) requires each local education agency to designate at least 30 minutes of time daily for physical activity at all grade levels K-12.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: No state policy specifically requiring recess. However, the Statewide School Wellness Policy (2006) requires each local education agency to designate at least 30 minutes of time daily for physical activity at all grade levels K-12.
Ohio
General Physical Activity Requirement: ORC 3313.6016 (2010) establishes a pilot program for daily physical activity for students. Each district that is participating in the program must require all students in grades K-12 to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to rigorous physical activity each school day, exclusive of recess. Physical activity engaged in during the following may count toward the daily requirement: (1) A physical education course, and (2) A program or activity occurring before or after the regular school day, as defined in section 3313.814 of the Revised Code, that is sponsored or approved by the school of attendance, provided school officials are able to monitor students’ participation to ensure compliance with the requirement. Students enrolled in the following programs are not subject to the requirement: (1) Post-secondary enrollment options program established under ORC 3365. (2) Career-technical education program operated by the board or governing authority. (3) Dropout prevention and recovery program operated by the board or governing authority. (4) Participation in interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading (the board or governing authority may excuse these students from the requirement during the period of participation). (5) Kindergarten students not enrolled in all-day kindergarten.
ORC 3313.6016 (2010) allows a board or governing authority to apply for a waiver from the requirement from the superintendent of public instruction. The board must demonstrate that compliance with the requirement will create an undue financial hardship on the school district or chartered nonpublic school.
Oklahoma
Physical Activity Requirement: 70-11-103.9 (2007) requires the Board of Education to strongly encourage school districts to incorporate physical activity into the school day by providing to students in full-day kindergarten and grades 1-5 at least a twenty-minute daily recess, in addition to the 60 minutes of required physical education. It also encourages districts to allow students brief physical activity breaks throughout the day, physical activity clubs, and special events.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: 70-11-103.9 (2007) requires the Board of Education to strongly encourage school districts to incorporate physical activity into the school day by providing to students in full-day kindergarten and grades 1-5 at least a twenty-minute daily recess, in addition to the 60 minutes of required physical education. It also encourages districts to allow students brief physical activity breaks throughout the day, physical activity clubs, and special events.
South Carolina
General Physical Activity Requirement: Code 59-10-10 (2005) mandates that students in grades K-5 must be provided with at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week beginning in the 2006-07 school year. Code 59-10-330 (2005) requires each school district, with the CSHAC, to develop a school health improvement plan that addresses strategies for improving student physical activity and must be included in the district’s strategic plan.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: The Position Statement on School Recess of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness recommends that schools allow time each day for supervised recess for elementary students. It also states that recess should not be denied as a form of punishment.
Tennessee
General Physical Activity Requirement: 49-6-1021(2006) requires each local education agency to integrate a minimum of 90 minutes of physical activity per week into the instructional school day for elementary and secondary school students. Opportunities to engage in physical activity may include walking, jumping rope, playing volleyball, or other forms of physical activities that promote fitness and well-being. Tennessee Department of Education to report to the general assembly on implementation, including the percentage of public schools that integrate a minimum of ninety (90) minutes of physical activity per week into the instructional school day.
The Tennessee State Board of Education Physical Activity Policy 4.206 (2005) requires that each LEA implements the Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs Module of the CDC’s SHI to assess the school’s learning environment.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: Although not specifically requiring recess, 49-6-1021 (2006) requires each local education agency to integrate a minimum of ninety minutes of physical activity per week into the instructional school day for elementary and secondary school students. Opportunities to engage in physical activity may include walking, jumping rope, playing volleyball, or other forms of physical activities that promote fitness and well-being.
Texas
General Physical Activity Requirement: Education Code 28.002 (2007) requires students in grades K-5 to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes throughout the school year. This may be accomplished through the physical education curriculum or daily recess. Students in grades 6-8 are required to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity (as a part of the physical education curriculum) for at least 30 minutes for at least four semesters. If this is impractical due to scheduling or other factors, the district may require a student to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for 135 minutes per week or 225 minutes per two weeks on a block schedule.
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: No state policy. However, Education Code 28.004 (2003) requires the local school health advisory council to consider and make policy recommendations to the district concerning the importance of daily recess for elementary school students.
Virginia
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: State Board Rule 8VAC20-131-200 (2006) requires elementary schools to provide students with daily recess during the school year as determined appropriate by the school.
Vermont
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: The Nutrition and Physical Fitness Guidelines (2005) recommend daily recess for all students pre-K through 8. The Guidelines also recommend that recess and physical activity breaks not be taken away as a form of discipline.
Wisconsin
Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: No state policy requiring or recommending recess. Code PI 8.01 (2004) allows no more than 30 minutes of the school day to be accounted for recess.
West Virginia
General Physical Activity: The State Board of Education’s Position Statement on School Wellness (2006) recommends the provision of physical activity outside of physical education class, including time and opportunities for vigorous physical activity during the school day and opportunities and encouragement for staff to model healthy eating and physical activity habits as a valuable party of daily life.
For more information on recess visit our Right to Recess Campaign page with research, article, video and other resources for saving recess.
*Information from the National Association of State School Boards
