Here is a researcher that says that new no-recess policies being adopted by many school districts is nearly inhumane. Just a reminder that Temple Hill school in the Newburgh School District has practically eliminated recess. The full article this quote his from is here.

According to Dr. Tony Pellegrini, a professor of child development at the University of Georgia, "Every study shows that children are more attentive after recess" (Johnson, 1998, p. A16). Pellegrini adds that not having a recess during the school day is almost inhumane because children are being kept confined in their classrooms for hours each day. Prolonged periods of confinement in elementary classrooms have been found to lead to increased fidgeting, restlessness, and subsequent inability to concentrate (Pellegrini & Davis, 1993).

What does the research say about the value of recess?

An Educational Resources Information Clearinghouse Digest report from 2003 concludes:

The available research suggests that recess can play an important role in the learning, social development, and health of elementary school children.

For more current research in support of recess, go to http://www.eric.ed.gov/ and search for "recess".

An article in the Times Herald-Record reveals that at Temple Hill School in the Newburgh School District, third through sixth graders have recess about one day out of three.

Temple Hill Principal Joyce Mucci did look at recess research last spring when restructuring was first proposed. The school's failure to meet No Child Left Behind requirements in English Language Arts for the past three years spurred discussions of change.

"The state is always after us to increase time on task because that is a school in need of improvement," said Annette Saturnelli, superintendent of the Newburgh School District.

Under pressure, the school reorganized its day entirely, limiting recess and creating a block schedule.

Now students have 120 minutes to focus on subjects and, instead of being taken out of the classroom, supporting instructors come in to assist teachers.

Mucci believes it's the school's main responsibility to help students academically. While she says physical activity is important for students, it doesn't necessarily have to be part of school time. "In order for us to help students to become lifelong learners, we have to help develop the educational and academic piece. The rest will fall into place," she said.

Two things in this article disappoint common sense.

First, the title, "RECESS ON THE RUN: Games pitted against grades" is a bizarre interpretation of the situation. A transparent attempt to highlight controversy and promote dispute. Thank you Meghan E. Murphy, for taking the time to promote conflict. OK, ok, we know, the editor made you do it.

Second, the attitude of Principal and Superintendent comes across as unthoughtful, uncritical, and unscientific. If good research shows that the unstructured play of recess aids student growth and achievement, why would we not pay attention to that?

Yet the Newburgh School District already has a wellness policy, which says all elementary students should have at least 20 minutes of recess, preferably outdoors and before lunch.

Saturnelli said the policy is a recommendation for schools where recess is feasible. At Temple Hill, looming sanctions for failing test scores trump policy.

So the policy is really only a "recommendation where feasible", interesting.

Other commentary in the Times Herald-Record's forum.