School’s Out and the Results Are In: Survey Validates Playworks’ Mission on the Playground and in the Classroom
In our field of play, we are often afforded the unique and rewarding opportunity to witness first-hand the daily, weekly and monthly growth of students at our partnering schools. Each spring we also look at our programs from the inside out through the Playworks Annual Survey of school professionals. The results of the recent survey are in and worth a look.
This year, nearly 400 school faculty members from 25 schools responded, providing input into what had or had not changed in their hallways and playing fields during the 2018-2019 school year. Overwhelmingly, they weighed in on a range of positive outcomes, from increased positive behavior and decreased disruptive conduct, to a heightened sense of inclusivity among students, and fewer bullying incidents–in turn, validating vital program impact.
Among key survey statistics:
- 98% of staff believe Playworks helps to create opportunities for inclusion of diverse groups of students
- 95% of staff agree Playworks improves their overall school climate
- 95% of staff report students are better able to resolve conflicts on their own
- 93% of staff report students are more focused during class
- 83% of staff report fewer playground injuries
Moreover, school faculty reported that, on average, 19 hours of class time was saved for teaching rather than managing disruptive behavior. We are also encouraged that our work is exceeding Playworks’ national averages on a number of measured statistics, while continuing to receive higher ratings statewide year over year.
Perhaps most gratifying of all is that these heightened student skillsets do not begin and end at school but rather translate into everyday life actions used at home and in the community. Students become more accepting of and sympathetic to others, resolve conflicts more effectively and place a stronger emphasis on productive school work and behavior with the help of Playworks programming. In our book, that’s an A+.
Learn more about Playworks Michigan’s 2019 Annual Survey results.
