Prince George's Charter School To End Recess

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) -- A Prince George's County charter school will end recess in an effort to short its academic day.

The Washington Post reports the county's Board of Education approved the change Thursday for College Park Academy on a 12-0 vote.

Frank Brewer, interim executive director of the academy, says teachers suggested the move. He says teachers noted that students were really tired by the end of the day. The school had a longer school day than most middle schools. Brewer says cutting recess was a way to shorten the day without affecting instructional time.

The school now runs from 8:25 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. After cutting recess, school will end at 3:20 p.m.

Schools across the country have been reducing or eliminating recess as they face pressure to raise academic standards.

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