Journal of Education & Social Policy

The Changing Landscape of Recess
Barbie Norvell, PhD; Janet Bavonese, PhD; Cynthia Connor, PhD; Aimee Weathers, EdS

Abstract
With many schools across the country struggling to meet the academic demands and accountability measures issued by the federal government, many schools are using the reduction or elimination of recess breaks as a way to increase the time on task for students to achieve basic skills and academic progress. These measures are giving way to all sorts of other issues such as childhood obesity and lack of socialization skills that are having a detrimental impact on American children. This paper provides the current state of the recess movement in the country and offers suggestions for ways to advocate for recess in schools.

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