Advocacy for Equitable Recess in Washington State

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Child Development
• Education Policy

Background:

• Daily school recess is essential for children's health and well-being, recommended by major health organizations.
• Equitable recess provision is a challenge in Washington state, with significant daily time variations.
• Most U.S. states lack specific laws mandating school recess.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the advocacy process for a statewide minimum daily recess law in Washington state.
• To identify lessons learned from a cross-sector coalition's successful legislative efforts.
• To highlight the importance of policy in ensuring equitable access to school recess.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis of legislative advocacy efforts.
• Description of a cross-sector coalition's strategies and collaborations.
• Review of the legislative process leading to the enactment of Senate Bill 5257.

Main Results:

• Senate Bill 5257, mandating a minimum of 30 minutes of daily recess for elementary students, passed with bipartisan support in Washington state in 2023.
• The law includes provisions for recess best practices, such as not withholding recess as punishment.
• Advocacy involved a diverse coalition including pediatricians, parents, educators, community organizations, and youth.

Conclusions:

• State legislation can be an effective tool for promoting equitable and high-quality school recess.
• Cross-sector collaboration is vital for successful policy change in child health and education.
• The Washington state case demonstrates a successful model for advocating for children's right to play and movement in schools.