Recess for All – Behind the Scenes in the State Senate to Write and Pass a Recess Bill

California passed their “Recess for All” bill in 2023, effectively defining recess as a right that cannot be taken away as punishment, and requiring a minimum of 30 minutes of recess daily for kindergarten through sixth grade. Former senator, Josh Newman, helped sponsor the bill which was an imperative step to help improve the whole health and academic success of students as they navigated school post COVID. In this penultimate season 6 episode, Dr. Rhea sits down with Former Senator Newman to discuss all that went into writing and passing this bill, and how this is just one small cog in the larger wheel that is the education system. Newman ponders what more can and should be done to further improve the system and the whole health of California’s students. With a career that spans military service, entrepreneurship,teaching, and elected office, Josh Newman brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to public service. He most recently served as the State Senator for California’s 29th Senate District in Orange County, where he focused on strengthening local communities, supporting economic growth, and championing policies that improve opportunities for veterans and working families. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Josh authored SB 291, landmark legislation guaranteeing every California K–6 student at least 30 minutes of protected, unstructured play each school day ensuring recess can’t be withheld for academic or disciplinary reasons. Josh is currently a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, running on a vision of healthier students, stronger schools, and a more coherent, equitable public education system.A graduate of Yale University with a degree in History, Joshserved in the U.S. Army with a nuclear artillery detachment in Korea and a field artillery battalion in Hawaii. He lives in Fullerton with his wife, Darcy Lewis, their daughter, and their three quirky rescue Chihuahuas.