Senate Unanimously Passes Seifried Bill to Double Recess Time for Young Students

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate today passed Senate Bill 1481 from Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, to double recess time for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Seifried’s legislation would increase the minimum amount of daily recess to 40 minutes for elementary school students and those in full-day kindergarten programs.

“Active students are better learners,” Seifried said. “Giving kids time to have fun and play with their classmates supports their mental health, improves their social development and helps build life skills like leadership, creativity and conflict resolution. Doubling recess time is a simple, practical way to give students’ brains a break so they come back to the classroom recharged and ready to focus.”

Seifried added that doubling recess time for young students would put Oklahoma’s standards in line with many neighboring states. Oklahoma’s current requirement of 20 minutes of daily recess falls short of the 30 or 40 minutes allotted in many other states.

“Kids aren’t meant to sit still all day,” Seifried said. “Giving students an extended break from computer screens and classroom lectures has been proven to improve their academic performance and concentration, all while reducing disruptive behavior in schools.”

SB 1481 passed the Senate 44 to 0. The bill now advances to the House, where Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, serves as the primary coauthor.

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For more information, contact: Communications@oksenate.gov