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Associations between School-Based Recess Interventions and Student Chronic Absenteeism in Low-Income California Schools

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Title: Associations between School-Based Recess Interventions and Student Chronic Absenteeism in Low-Income California Schools
Language: English
Authors: Natalia A. Msami (ORCID 0009-0008-7303-8102), Jennette Claassen, Richard Pulvera, Michael A. Gottfri (ORCID 0000-0002-4396-0576), Hannah R. Thompson (ORCID 0000-0003-0214-5003)
Source: Journal of School Health. 2026 96(4).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Recess Breaks, Attendance, Low Income Students, Elementary School Students, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Program Effectiveness
Geographic Terms: California
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70138
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: Recess-based interventions promote physical activity, socioemotional development, and positive school climates and may also influence attendance, but remain understudied. We examined the association between exposure to recess-based interventions through the nonprofit Playworks and chronic absenteeism in low-income California elementary schools. Methods: Observational study including 4361 Title I schools from 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024, with 384 Playworks-exposed schools (85 high-dose program exposure, 299 low-dose program exposure). Adjusted regression models estimated differences in the proportion of chronically absent students, overall and by student race and ethnicity, between Playworks-exposed and nonexposed schools. Results: Playworks-exposed schools had a 0.6% (95% CI, -1.1 to -0.1) lower proportion of chronic absenteeism than nonexposed schools, with notable differences among Hispanic students (-1.95%; 95% CI, -3.7 to -0.5). Schools with high-dose Playworks demonstrated statistically significantly lower chronic absenteeism than nonexposed schools (24.6% vs. 26.4%; 95% CI, -2.7 to -0.7). Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Recess-based programs like Playworks may support school attendance, with potential to address disparities for students most impacted by chronic absenteeism. Districts might consider incorporating recess programs into multi-tiered attendance strategies. Conclusions: Playworks exposure, especially at high doses, is associated with lower chronic absenteeism in low-income elementary schools, especially among Hispanic students.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501343
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Associations between School-Based Recess Interventions and Student Chronic Absenteeism in Low-Income California Schools
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Natalia+A%2E+Msami%22">Natalia A. Msami</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7303-8102">0009-0008-7303-8102</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jennette+Claassen%22">Jennette Claassen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Richard+Pulvera%22">Richard Pulvera</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michael+A%2E+Gottfri%22">Michael A. Gottfri</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4396-0576">0000-0002-4396-0576</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hannah+R%2E+Thompson%22">Hannah R. Thompson</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0214-5003">0000-0003-0214-5003</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. 2026 96(4).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink>
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  Label: Descriptors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Recess+Breaks%22">Recess Breaks</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attendance%22">Attendance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Low+Income+Students%22">Low Income Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Racial+Differences%22">Racial Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethnicity%22">Ethnicity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22California%22">California</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/josh.70138
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  Data: 0022-4391<br />1746-1561
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: Recess-based interventions promote physical activity, socioemotional development, and positive school climates and may also influence attendance, but remain understudied. We examined the association between exposure to recess-based interventions through the nonprofit Playworks and chronic absenteeism in low-income California elementary schools. Methods: Observational study including 4361 Title I schools from 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024, with 384 Playworks-exposed schools (85 high-dose program exposure, 299 low-dose program exposure). Adjusted regression models estimated differences in the proportion of chronically absent students, overall and by student race and ethnicity, between Playworks-exposed and nonexposed schools. Results: Playworks-exposed schools had a 0.6% (95% CI, -1.1 to -0.1) lower proportion of chronic absenteeism than nonexposed schools, with notable differences among Hispanic students (-1.95%; 95% CI, -3.7 to -0.5). Schools with high-dose Playworks demonstrated statistically significantly lower chronic absenteeism than nonexposed schools (24.6% vs. 26.4%; 95% CI, -2.7 to -0.7). Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Recess-based programs like Playworks may support school attendance, with potential to address disparities for students most impacted by chronic absenteeism. Districts might consider incorporating recess programs into multi-tiered attendance strategies. Conclusions: Playworks exposure, especially at high doses, is associated with lower chronic absenteeism in low-income elementary schools, especially among Hispanic students.
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      – SubjectFull: Recess Breaks
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      – SubjectFull: Attendance
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      – SubjectFull: Low Income Students
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Racial Differences
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      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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