Pennsylvania Now Requires Daily Recess for K-5 Students

Gov. Shapiro signed Act 20 of 2026 this week, officially writing 30 minutes of daily recess into law for every Pennsylvania kindergarten-through-5th-grade student, with 15 minutes for half-day kindergarten programs; elementary schools are also expected to extend it to 6th graders in the building. It doesn't take effect until the 2027-28 school year, so no Monroe County classroom sees a change this fall, but it's now locked into law rather than a district-by-district choice. Shapiro signed the bill at an elementary school in Montgomery County, saying kids “learn better when they have had time to move and reset.” Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, framing it as a parent himself, said kids “need dedicated time to exercise, play, and connect with friends” to counteract screen time.

I remember running on a similar platform (longer recess) when I ran for class council as a fifth grader. Amazing that the leadership in Pennsylvania has caught up to my platform in 1982.