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SB 339

Requiring school districts to provide elementary students with a certain amount of daily recess, prohibiting limiting or withholding recess for disciplinary reasons, requiring a Kansas state fitness test and designating required recess time as part of the school term.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas schools must provide K-5 students at least 30 minutes daily recess counted toward school instructional time.

Died on House Calendar
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Bill Summary · SB 339

Legislative bill overview

SB 339 mandates that Kansas school districts provide a minimum of 30 minutes of daily recess for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and counts this recess time as part of the official school day. The bill has advanced through committee with a recommendation for passage as amended.

Why is this important

Recess policies directly affect how schools allocate instructional time and student physical activity levels during the school day. This requirement could influence classroom schedules, teacher workloads, and student health outcomes, while also affecting districts' ability to meet other academic and testing requirements within existing time constraints.

Potential points of contention

  • Academic time trade-offs: Schools may argue that mandating 30 minutes of recess reduces time available for core academic instruction, particularly in districts with longer school days or specific curriculum requirements
  • Implementation costs and logistics: Ensuring adequate supervision, facilities, and weather contingencies for daily outdoor recess may require additional staff or infrastructure investments that strain district budgets
  • Existing variation: Some districts already provide substantial recess while others have minimized it; a statewide mandate removes local flexibility to balance recess against other priorities like intervention programs or extended learning time

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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