Teachers in Playworks schools reported significantly better student behavior at recess and readiness for class¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2012 · checked against its sources 2026-10-20 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Teachers in Playworks schools reported significantly better student behavior at recess and readiness for class than teachers in control schools. → Martha Bleeker 2012

Evidence¶

Martha Bleeker 2012¶

Martha Bleeker, Susanne James-Burdumy, Nicholas Beyler, Allison Hedley Dodd, Rebecca A. London, Lisa Westrich, Katie Stokes-Guinan, Sebastian Castrechini. (2012). Findings from a Randomized Experiment of Playworks: Selected Results from Cohort 1. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research and Stanford, CA: John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities, Stanford University. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/findings-from-a-randomized-experiment-of-playworks-selected-results-from-cohort-1

q3 · i? · causal · r2

In the cohort 1 randomized experiment, treatment teachers reported significantly better student behavior at recess and readiness for class compared with control-school teachers, as summarized in the report. No effect size printed.

"Teachers in Playworks schools reported significantly better student behavior at recess and readiness for class than teachers in control schools"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Classroom physical activity increases children's on-task behaviour, with no consistent gain on attention or other cognitive tests — the general claim this finding bears on, with the studies behind it
• Teachers in Playworks schools reported less bullying and exclusionary behavior during recess than control-school teachers — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Playworks made transitions from recess to classroom learning less difficult, per teacher reports — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Girls in Playworks schools had significantly higher accelerometer intensity counts and spent more time in vigorous physical activity than girls in control schools — related
• In a randomized controlled trial, children in Playworks schools spent more time in vigorous physical activity at recess than students at non-Playworks schools, and more teachers in Playworks schools reported students engaged in intense recess activity — related
• Girls in Playworks schools were less likely to be sedentary and more likely to engage in jumping, tag, and playground games during recess — related
• No significant accelerometer-based differences in physical activity were found for boys in Playworks schools compared with control schools — related
• Playworks showed significant impact on some measures of girls' physical activity but no significant impact on measures of boys' physical activity — related
• Teachers in Playworks schools were more likely to report that students enjoyed adult-organized recess activities — related
• Playworks improved teachers' perceptions of students' safety and feeling included during recess in a randomized experiment — related
• Students in Playworks schools reported better behavior and attention in class after sports, games, and play — related