Using Play to Support Engagement and Readiness to Learn as a way to Improve Attendance

At a time when schools are navigating funding uncertainty, staffing challenges, and increasing student needs, one issue continues to rise to the top for district and building leaders: student attendance.

Across Michigan and the country, schools are looking for practical, sustainable ways to reduce chronic absence and increase student engagement.  Recent research points to a powerful and often overlooked solution.

A 2025 UC Berkeley study found that Title I schools with Playworks programming had significantly lower chronic absence rates than similar schools without it, even after accounting for school size, income, and student demographics.

The reason is simple:when students feel connected, supported, and engaged in their school environment, they are more likely to show up.

One of the most consistent places where that connection is built each day is safe, engaging, and empowering play.

From Recess to Readiness

When play is safe, engaging, and empowering, it becomes more than a break in the day, it’s where students build relationships, stay active, and return to class ready to learn.

For school leaders, the implication is clear: how students experience recess directly impacts how they experience learning. To learn more about how this approach can support your school or district, reach out to us here or email our school partnerships manager at mike.schulte@playworks.org.

PLAY ON!