Florida's mandatory recess rule doesn't require kids to go outside

By Colin Wolf on Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 3:00 pm

Earlier this year, Florida legislators passed a bill that requires elementary schools to set aside at least 20 minutes a day for "free play recess," which apparently doesn't require anyone going outside.

According to the Associated Press, the Florida Department of Education informed superintendents last week that they can still comply with this mandate without having to let kids out of the classroom.

Sorry, kids.

A form of mandatory recess is something Florida parents have been pushing for over the last few years, but this mandate is poorly defined. Unfortunately there's nothing in the law saying where "free play recess" should take place.

So, essentially, kids could have 20 minutes of "free play" at their desks and this would qualify.

Plus, it's worth noting that Florida charter schools do not need to comply with this rule, and can have zero recess if they choose without any consequences.

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