MEA testifies in support of mandated recess

AUGUSTA — The Maine Education Association has come out in support of a bill that would require all public school districts in the state to provide at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity for students kindergarten through grade 5.

The MEA spoke in support of L.D. 378 March 8 before the Legislature’s Education Committee.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, also requires that a school administrative unit may not deny a student physical activity as punishment or discipline.

A survey of MEA members found that during mandated testing, schools were at times, forced to eliminate recess to complete testing, according to a news release from the MEA. Research shows active children both perform better in school and behave better, the release said, and added that the American Heart Association recommends at least 60 minutes of aerobic activity every day. For children ages 5-17 the World Health Organization recommends 60 minutes of exercise.

“Classes in physical education are certainly an important part of exercise and team-building skills for school age children,” Lois Kilby-Chesley, president of the MEA, told the committee. “But unstructured play time is as important as the classroom skills. As a teacher for more than three decades I know that children do better in school when given the chance to move. Children learn through play as well; let’s make sure we put our students first and support guaranteed recess.”