School leaders believe that the slight addition of more time in the classroom, with the corresponding reduced time in physical and mental play, will improve academic performance. However, research shows that increasing time alone does not improve performance - the time must include quality, appropriately challenging work. And even if the increased classroom time IS spent in such work, the loss of recess is likely to counter any (improbable) gains.

Consider the position statements from reputable professional organizations:

The National Association of Elementary School Principals:

"research on children's playground behavior assures the importance of a break in the school day.... Principal magazine reported 'Recess is one of the few times during the school day when children can exhibit a wide range of social competencies... in a context they see as meaningful.' In addition to its academic and physical benefits - improved concentration, regular exercise - recess gives children the opportunity to engage in free play. Their lives are so structured now that opportunities for unstructured play are crucial."

The National Association for the Education of Young Children:

"Unstructured physical play is a developmentally appropriate outlet for reducing stress in children's lives, and research shows that physical activity improves children's attentiveness and decreases restlessness....school administrators should carefully consider the benefits of outdoor play before eliminating recess from their curriculum....Ignoring the developmental functions of unstructured outdoor play denies children the opportunity to expand their imaginations beyond the constraints of the classroom."

The Centers for Disease Control/Healthy People 2010

recommends that children accumulate at least 60 minutes daily of appropriate physical activity. "Physical activity among children is important because of related health benefits and because a physically active lifestyle adopted early in life may continue into adulthood....Many children are less physically active than recommended, and physical activity declines during adolescence. Schools are an efficient vehicle for providing physical activity...because they reach most children."

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education, in a statement endorsed by The National Association of Elementary School Principals:

"Recess ... may facilitate improved attention and focus on learning in the academic program. Cognitive abilities may also be enhanced by recess. Studies have found that students who do not participate in recess may have difficulty concentrating on specific tasks in the classroom, are restless and may be easily distracted. Recess serves as a developmentally appropriate strategy for reducing stress."

A selection of recommendations follows:

• Quality physical education and daily recess are necessary components of the school curriculum.
• Recess should not be viewed as a reward but a necessary educational support component for all children. Students should not be denied recess as a means of punishment, or to make up work.
• Recess should not replace physical education. Recess is unstructured playtime where children [have the] opportunity to practice or use skills developed in PE.

In the 8-17-05 OA News an administrator says PE classes can still use the playground. Yes, Lee County schools have beautiful new playgrounds - areas designed for recess - not for PE. PE is planned instructional time with specific learning objectives. Thankfully, Beulah Elementary children get 40 minutes of PE daily from a highly qualified teacher.

They need the free and unstructured play time of recess, as well.

Recess is the right of every child. Taking away recess, whether as a disciplinary measure or abolishing it in the name of test scores, infringes on that right.