Angela K. Dills|Hillary N. Morgan|Kurt W. Rotthoff
Recess, physical education, and elementary school student outcomes
Providence College|Drew University|Seton Hall University
todays children experience decreased amount time recess fewer physical education pe classes throughout school day breaks physical activity limit class time academics potentially reducing learning however breaks may improve alertness achievement using early childhood longitudinal survey kindergarten class 19981999 evaluate recess pe elementary school influence childrens learning find statistically significant economically significant impacts weekly recess pe time student learning kindergarteners fifth graders example kindergarten adding hour week recess reduces average test score gain reading statistically insignificant 001 standard deviations additional 49 min per week pe kindergarten improves reading test score gains statistically insignificant 005 standard deviations find statistical difference male female students response recess pe evidence suggests recess pe harm student outcomes