Recess has been scaled back or cut altogether in a number of schools around the country. The trend can be traced back to the late eighties and was accelerated under No Child Left Behind. Districts under pressure to show academic progress began to squeeze as much instruction into the day as possible. Others eliminated recess because of concerns…

The demise of recess in many elementary schools--and of outdoor play in general--is an issue of great concern to many members of the Play, Policy, and Practice Interest Forum. Most people remember recess as an important part of the school day. It was a time to be outdoors; to organize games; to play on the swings, slides, and other playground…

This Summer 2003 issue of "Y&E Lessons in Learning" contains the following articles: (1) Playgrounds Where All Kids Are Able to Play; (2) Kellogg Foundation Promotes Youth Voices in Special Comic Book; (3) Families for Kids: A Powerful Approach to System Reform; (4) New Program Focuses Community Leaders on Educational Change; (5)…