Taking Away Recess is Bad Policy and Bad for Kids

Children jumping rope on the playgroundThe Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) is considering a policy that would allow teacher and principals to discipline students by taking away recess. Berkeley is not alone in using this age–old punishment — schools across the country are using it despite any research showing that it has any benefit. Research has shown that taking recess away is not an effective way to change behavior, and in fact, is harmful. DREDF sent this letter to the BUSD School Board—please feel free to use it as a template in your school district.

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