Associations between School-Based Recess Interventions and Student Chronic Absenteeism in Low-Income California Schools
Saved in:
| Title: | Associations between School-Based Recess Interventions and Student Chronic Absenteeism in Low-Income California Schools |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Natalia A. Msami (ORCID |
| 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 |
Be the first to leave a comment!
