Missouri lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would significantly increase physical activity requirements for students across the state.
The bill would require all K-12 students to participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each school day. Schools would have flexibility in how they meet the requirement, including traditional physical education classes, additional recess time, or other supervised activities built into the school day.
While the legislation includes accommodations for students with disabilities, it would remove exemptions that sometimes allow student-athletes to skip physical activity requirements. Supporters argue the change would ensure all students remain active, regardless of extracurricular commitments.
Some lawmakers have questioned how schools would manage the added requirement without disrupting academic schedules. Backers of the bill maintain that the intent is not to lengthen the school day or reduce classroom instruction, but to better integrate movement into existing schedules and routines.
Proponents also emphasized the connection between exercise and student well-being. Haley Edwards, a senior at Republic High School, testified that regular physical activity plays a key role in both physical and mental health, saying it “opens doors to be able to see those effects” in students’ overall well-being.
Education advocates have noted that physical education has steadily declined in American schools over time, taking a back seat to standardized testing and other academic activities. They argue the proposed requirement would help keep a balance by recognizing physical literacy as an essential part of student development.
If approved, the bill would represent a shift in how Missouri schools prioritize daily movement, placing greater emphasis on student health alongside academic success.