How can schools reduce chronic absenteeism through recess?
Playworks helps schools and districts improve attendance by strengthening student belonging, behavior, and engagement through evidence-based training and high-quality recess.
How Playworks helps schools increase attendance
Playworks starts with recess because it is one of the few parts of the school day every student experiences, every day.
A recent UC Berkeley study found that Title I schools with Playworks programming had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates than similar schools without Playworks, even after accounting for school size, income, and student demographics.
Through professional training and on-the-ground support, Playworks helps schools run recess that reduces conflict, strengthens relationships, and supports smoother transitions back to learning.
“When the teacher hops in the game and everyone’s playing together, that builds camaraderie between students and adults.”
— Principal at a Playworks school
Playworks builds adult capacity so schools can sustain these practices and align recess with existing priorities such as PBIS and MTSS.
Playworks schools experience these benefits
Lower chronic absenteeism in Title I schools
Schools with Playworks programming show lower chronic absence rates compared to similar schools without Playworks.
Stronger relationships between students and adults
When adults actively support recess, students feel more connected and more willing to show up consistently.
Fewer behavior issues during and after recess
Clear and engaging routines developed through adult training reduce conflict and improve transitions.
More instructional time protected
Research from Mathematica found that schools with Playworks spent 27% less time transitioning from recess to learning, reclaiming valuable instructional time.
A solution leaders can explain to boards and communities
Attendance improves when schools make visible changes to daily routines and expectations.
What to expect from a consultative call
This is a 15-minute, no-obligation conversation focused on your schools’ needs.
During the call, you will:
- Discuss your current attendance challenges and priorities
- Learn how Playworks supports attendance, behavior, and school climate
- Leave with clear next steps, whether or not you decide to partner
Frequently Asked Questions
Tracking attendance alone does not address why students miss school. Chronic absenteeism is influenced by daily student experience, including whether students feel safe, connected, and supported during the school day.
No. While family circumstances matter, attendance is also shaped by what happens inside school walls. Student experience, school climate, and relationships with peers and adults all influence whether students want to show up consistently.
Recess is one of the most unstructured parts of the school day and often where issues like conflict, exclusion, or lack of consistency surface. When recess feels unsafe or chaotic, those challenges can carry into classrooms and affect student engagement and attendance.
School and district leaders are often asked to improve attendance while managing staffing shortages, behavior concerns, and limited time. Solutions that rely solely on additional oversight or enforcement can strain capacity without addressing root causes.
Playworks improves attendance by strengthening the daily school experience. Engaging, healthy recess builds relationships, reduces conflict, and helps students feel safe and connected, which increases their desire to attend school consistently.
Playworks works with school and district leaders, principals, and educators who want to improve attendance, school climate, and student behavior through practical, schoolwide strategies.
Yes. Research, including a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools, shows that Playworks programming is associated with lower chronic absenteeism rates, even after controlling for key school characteristics.
Training is designed to be practical and manageable. Playworks focuses on building staff capacity without adding unnecessary burden or competing with instructional priorities.
Playworks aligns with PBIS and MTSS by reinforcing consistent expectations, positive behavior, and relationship-building during a critical part of the school day.
Playworks primarily supports elementary and K–8 schools, where recess plays a significant role in student experience and behavior.
Book a Training
Talk with our team about your attendance challenges and explore how Playworks training can support your school or district.
This conversation is exploratory and designed to help you determine whether Playworks is a good fit for your goals.