Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

SSB 5551

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Keiser, Kastama, Marr, Murray, McDermott, Shin, McAuliffe, Fairley, Kline, Pridemore, Oemig, Regala, Kauffman and Kohl-Welles).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to collaborate with the statewide parent-teacher organization to conduct and report the results of a survey regarding recess.

Background:

School districts are required to provide a certain number of instructional hours. The instructional hours must cover the essential academic learning requirements and other subjects and activities that a school district deems appropriate for the education of the students. Instructional hours may include recess; however, school districts are not specifically required to provide a recess.

The duties of the Superintendent of Public Instruction include promoting the adoption of school-based curricula and policies that provide quality, daily physical education for all students, and to encourage policies that provide all students with opportunities for physical activity outside of formal classes. Currently, students in elementary and middle school must receive an average of 100 instructional minutes of physical education per week. Two of the 19 credits required for graduation from high school are health and fitness credits. Additionally, the Legislature has set forth goals for school districts to provide at least 150 minutes per week of quality physical education in grades 1 through 8 by 2010.

Summary of Bill:

By December 1, 2009 the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with the statewide parent-teacher organization, must conduct and report the results of a survey of elementary schools regarding the availability and perceptions of the importance of recess. The survey must include specific questions provided but the survey is not limited to the provided questions.