Elementary school kids in Arizona could be getting a longer snack break.
The Arizona House Committee on Education voted to give students at least 50 minutes of recess every day.
The bill unanimously passed bipartisan support and now moves to the house floor for a vote by the full chamber.
The new bill not only requires at least 50 minutes of recess per day for kids in grades K-5, but also requires them to be unstructured. Unstructured means students get to decide how to spend the time.
Many parents agree on recess being extended to 50 minutes.
Bridgette Andrade says, "It would allow them to be more active, to let out a little more energy instead of having to keep it all in and going inside."
Andrade adds that by doing so it will benefit teachers.
Other parents like Lisa Osborne don't agree with the extension. Instead, she says she wants to see the kids have more time in the classroom.
"At the same time I think classroom time is more valuable and maybe they can be active in the classroom as they're learning instead of just sitting," adds Osborne.
The approval of HB2082 by the House Education Committee came after advocates argued all students would benefit from the potential change.
Over the years, break times have been cut down as teachers focus on meeting higher academic standards.
There are currently no laws requiring recess. That time is set by the districts and schools.
Advocates argued more recess time will lead to healthier children that are more willing to learn.
