Florida Senate says yes to more recess, fewer tests
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida may finally require that children in elementary schools have recess every day under a sweeping education bill passed by the Florida Senate.
The Senate voted unanimously Thursday for a bill that includes the recess requirement and also eliminates end-of-course exams in Algebra 2 and civics. The bill would also push back testing dates, although that measure doesn't take effect until 2019.
House and Senate Republicans have been working for days on a comprehensive education bill. The bill heads next to the Florida House.
If the bill becomes law, elementary schools would be required to set aside 20 minutes each day for "free-play recess."
For the past two years, mothers of school children have lobbied for the recess bill. They say children need recess to expend energy and give them a break from schoolwork.