fenton/naesp principal survey › sites › default › files › ...more than 8 in 10 principals...

FENTON/NAESP PRINCIPAL SURVEYNOVEMBER 2009

3

METHODOLOGY

� Field Dates: October 8 – October 19, 2009

� Mode: Web Survey

� Total Sample Size: 1,951

� Response Rate– 12% response rate accounting for undeliverable e-mails. Of the total respondents, 156 were

selected out as they did not participate in recess at their schools.

� Data were weighted based on the following:– Census Region: Table 99. Public elementary schools, by grade span, average school size,

and state or jurisdiction: 2006-07 SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center

for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD), "Public Elementary/Secondary School

Universe Survey," 2006-07.

– FARL: Table 230. Public Charter and Traditional Schools – Selected Characteristics: 2005-

2006 Source: U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, "Public

Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey," 2005-06, unpublished data.

Copyright © 2009 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

RESEARCH PARTNERS & SPONSORS

4

GENERAL SUMMARYKey Findings


1. Recess has a positive impact on achievement and learning.

More than 8 in 10 principals report that

recess has a positive impact on

academic achievement.

Two-thirds of principals report that

students listen better after recess and

are more focused in class.

6

80.00%

20.00%

66.67%

33.33%

PositiveImpact

Listen better & more focused

2. Recess benefits child development in important, non-academic ways as well.

An overwhelming majority of

principals (96%) conclude that

recess has a positive impact on

social development.

An overwhelming majority (97%)

of principals believe that recess

has a positive impact on general

well-being.

7

4.00%

96.00%

3.00%

97.00%

Positive impact on social development

Positive impact on general well-being

3. Recess remains a precious commodity at most schools. Despite its links to

achievement, many schools cut recess to meet testing requirements.

Only half of principals report that

students receive between 16-30

minutes of recess per day.

One in five principals indicate that

annual yearly progress (AYP) testing

requirements have led to a decrease

in recess minutes at their school.

8

4. Despite the connection between recess and good student behavior, schools continue to take recess away as a punishment for bad behavior.

A solid majority (77%) of

principals report taking recess

away as a punishment.

9

33.00%

77.00%

5. Recess is the time of day when schools face the biggest behavior management challenges.

Principals report that the majority

of discipline-related problems

occur outside of class time (87%)

with the majority of those

occurring during recess or lunch

(89%).

10

13.00%

87.00%

Outside of class time

11.00%

89.00%

During recess or lunch

6. Schools are looking for help with recess.

When asked what would improve recess at their schools, they identified

the following top three needs in order:

11

• Number of staff to monitor recess

• Better equipment

• Playground management training

COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 1: School Environment


Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Everyone tries to keep the school looking good, including students, teachers, and other staff.

1%

8%

45%

46%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2

1 - Strongly disagree

Copyright © 2009 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 13

Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Students feel like they’re respected by other students.

18%

63%

17%

2%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2



Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Students feel like they’re respected by the adults at this school.

1%

48%

47%

4%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2



Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Students receive training and/or education in conflict resolution at this school.

3%

7%

20%

36%

34%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2



Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: When conflict occurs between students at this school, students feel like they have the tools or training to resolve the conflict.

4%

29%

54%

13%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2



Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Students feel like they’re an important part of this school.

5%

37%

58%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2



Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Students feel proud to be part of this school.

1%

34%

62%

3%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2



Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Adults feel proud to be part of this school.

1%

33%

61%

1%4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2



Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Students trust teachers.

45%

50%

1%4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2



12%

56%

30%

2%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4

3

2


Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree about the environment at your school: Teachers trust students.


COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 2: Discipline

How much of their time do teachers spend disciplining students?

3%

42%

48%

7%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

4 - Almost none

3 - Very little

2 - Some

1 - A lot


As a principal, how much of your time do you spend disciplining students?

5%

41%

45%

9%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

4 - Almost none

3 - Very little

2 - Some

1 - A lot


What is the most common time that discipline-related problems occur?

13%

87%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

During non-class time

During class time


When do non-class time discipline-related problems occur?

89%

4%

7%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

After school

Before school

During recess/lunch


COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 3: Recess Duration and Frequency

Among the students who get a recess period, how many days out of the week do they have a recess period?

92%

1%1%3%

3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Don't know

5

4

3

2

1


In total, how many minutes during the day are spent for recess at you school (adding all recess periods together)?

9%

49%

21%

11%

10%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

More than 60 minutes

46 - 60 minutes

31 - 45 minutes

16 - 30 minutes

Less than 15 minutes


How has student achievement testing and adequate yearly progress (AYP) influenced the

amount of recess time in your school?

22%

1%

77%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Has had no effect on recess time

Increased recess time

Decreased recess time


COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 4: Recess Supervision

Is recess supervision voluntary or mandatory for all of your staff?

9%

52%

39%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Mandatory for all

Mandatory for some

Voluntary for all


Please indicate whether or not each of the following staff members regularly supervises

recess at your school: Classroom teachers

73%

27%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

No

Yes



recess at your school: Specialist teachers

33%

67%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

No

Yes



recess at your school: Support staff

74%

26%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

No

Yes



recess at your school: Principal and/or assistant principal

37%

63%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

No

Yes



recess at your school: Parent volunteers

8%

92%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

No

Yes


In the last week, how many days did you, yourself, observe recess at your school?

20%

23%

23%

16%

5%

13%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 days

4 days

3 days

2 days

1 day

0 days


Please indicate whether recess is ever given as a reward or taken away as a punishment for

classroom behavior at your school: Reward

54%

46%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

No

Yes


Please indicate whether recess is ever given as a reward or taken away as a punishment for

classroom behavior at your school: Punishment

77%

23%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

No

Yes


In a typical week’s recess at your school, what percentage of the students do not actively participate in recess (i.e., students who stand on the sidelines)?

15%

79%

2%3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Don't know

76-100%

51-75%

26-50%

1-25%

0%

1%


Among the students who do not actively participate, are the non-participants mostly…?

14%

5%

81%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

A mix of both

Females

Males


COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 5: Recess Resources

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about recess at your school. My school: Has adequate recess or playground equipment.

4%

14%

8%

41%

33%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree

3 - Neither agree nor disagree

2 - Disagree



Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about recess at your school. My school: Has adequate recess or playground space.

2%

8%

3%

35%

52%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree



Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about recess at your school. My school: Has a sufficient number of adults supervising recess.

1%

12%

10%

51%

26%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree



Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about recess at your school. My school: Keeps students safe from physical danger while at recess.

1%5%

54%

40%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree



Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about recess at your school. My school: Has properly trained adults supervising recess.

5%

11%

52%

32%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree



COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 6: Recess Behaviors

Please indicate how often each of the following behaviors occurs during an average recess

period: Fighting

62%

29%

2%

7%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely



period: Bullying

37%

58%

4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely

1%



period: Teasing

17%

69%

13%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely

1%



period: Boredom

47%

41%

5%

6%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely

1%



period: Team Play/Sharing

8%

48%

43%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely

1%



period: Laughing

36%

62%

1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely

1%



period: Socializing with the same sex

2%

36%

62%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely



period: Socializing with the opposite sex

2%

20%

51%

27%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely



period: Physical exercise

1%5%

41%

53%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 - Does not occur

4 - Constantly

3 - Frequently

2 - Occasionally

1 - Rarely


COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 7: Post Recess Behaviors

In general, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following behaviors that may occur after students’ participation in recess: Students listen better when returning to class.

5%

24%

47%

16%

8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6 - Don't know

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree



In general, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following behaviors that may occur after students’ participation in recess: Students are more focused.

5%

23%

49%

17%

6%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6 - Don't know

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree



In general, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following behaviors that may occur after students’ participation in recess: Students are tired.

4%

39%

34%

17%

1%

5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6 - Don't know

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree



In general, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following behaviors that may occur after students’ participation in recess: Students have a hard time settling down.

4%

43%

28%

20%

2%3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6 - Don't know

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree



In general, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following behaviors that may occur after students’ participation in recess: Students are distracted from class work.

8%

56%

25%

6%

4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6 - Don't know

5 - Strongly agree

4 - Agree


2 - Disagree


1%


Overall, how would you describe classroom behavior after a recess period?

34%

47%

8%

11%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

4 - Don't know

3 - Worse than periods before recess

2 - The same as periods before recess

1 - Better than periods before recess


COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 8: Impact of Recess

On a five-point scale, please indicate how positive or negative you feel recess is for your

students on the following items: Academic achievement

13%

47%

37%

2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6 - Don't know

5 - Very positive

4 - Somewhat positive

3 - Neither positive nor negative

2 - Somewhat negative

1 - Very negative

1%



students on the following items: Social development

3%

30%

66%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6 - Don't know

5 - Very positive




1 - Very negative

1%



students on the following items: General well-being

3%

28%

69%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6 - Don't know

5 - Very positive




1 - Very negative


COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 9: Improve Recess

What is the most important thing that could be done to improve recess at your school?

15%

1%

21%

24%

5%

15%

6%

4%

8%

1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100% 09 - Provide training around playground management

08 - Increase the number of volunteer help to monitor recess

07 - Increase the number of staff to monitor recess

06 - Employ more safety measures

05 - Obtain better equipment

04 - Provide better supervision

03 - Change the timing of recess during the day

02 - Provide shorter recess

01 - Provide longer recess

00 - Other


COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 10: Open Ended

74

In just a few words, how does what happens on the playground positively or negatively

affect the classroom?

Response PercentA good break from academics/re-energize 19%

Good exercise 13%

Allow students to learn proper social skills/positive social interaction 13%

Recess can negatively carry into the rest of the day/conflict carries over 12%

Able to concentrate better on school work 10%

Students are more positive/excited to learn after recess 9%

Bullying/negative behavior takes place7%

Students learn on their own at recess/students get unstructured play/learning time 5%

Need a transition activity between recess and school work 2%

Recess takes too much time from the academic day 2%

Good for students' health 2%

Learn new activities/games 2%

Staff are not good at supervising recess 1%

Less able to focus on school work 1%

Good for staff 1%

COMPLETE FINDINGS BY QUESTIONSection 11: Sample Details

How would you categorize your school’s geographic location?

20%

43%

37%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Rural

Suburban

Urban


What percentage of your students qualify for free and reduced lunch (FARL)?

27%

27%

24%

20%

2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Does not apply

76-100%

51-75%

26-50%

1-25%


Is your school required (by a local or state governing body) to provide recess to students?

35%

50%

15%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Don't know

No

Yes


fenton/naesp principal survey › sites › default › files › ...more than 8 in 10 principals...

Documents