Tribune reporter
7:03 p.m. CDT, May 10, 2012
"The Illinois Senate today voted 32-20 to require that students in kindergarten through fifth grade get at least 20 minutes of recess.
Schools also would be permitted to require recess for 6th through 8th grades.
The bill also seeks to block teachers from holding children out of recess as punishment, according to sponsoring Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood.
Lightford said her original bill asked for a statewide 30-minute requirement, but it was reduced to 20 minutes through negotiations.
Lightford said children need a chance to “cut loose” during the day to help them concentrate on their lessons.
Opponents argued the move could cost schools additional money.
The measure now goes to the House"
Schools also would be permitted to require recess for 6th through 8th grades.
The bill also seeks to block teachers from holding children out of recess as punishment, according to sponsoring Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood.
Lightford said her original bill asked for a statewide 30-minute requirement, but it was reduced to 20 minutes through negotiations.
Lightford said children need a chance to “cut loose” during the day to help them concentrate on their lessons.
Opponents argued the move could cost schools additional money.
The measure now goes to the House"
You mean that student between the ages of 6-12 need to run around a little bit? You mean they are not all ADD or ADHD as most get diagnosed? We do not think this will cost the city more money than the over diagnosis of special educational and services required for many students who have to carry their IEP's through high school. We do believe this would cut the cost of educational services for many students. But, this of course would lower the amount of money we receive for our "Problem Students" from federal and state money. What would happen if the city did not have more money to misappropriate?
Again, the children… please think of the children!
