Colorado: Anna Lord

Elementary school students will have to be provided with 21/2 hours of physical activity a week under a bill approved Thursday in the Senate Education Committee.

The 21/2 hours could include traditional physical education classes or activities led by classroom teachers.

But schools also could satisfy the requirement with 21/2 hours of recess.

SB 131 is sponsored by Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver. He said breaks for physical activity can improve learning.

Objections came from local school boards, who argued that the bill interferes with their prerogative to schedule activities.

Manitou Springs school board member Anna Lord said requiring activity breaks will take time from something else.

The bill was approved without dissent and sent to the Senate floor.