Scaling What Works

As we wrap up another school year, I am reflecting on the challenges we've faced, how we've overcome, and the best way to move forward in the 2017-18 school year. 

Currently, Playworks Utah is serving over 33,000 kids in 56 schools throughout the state. Our innovation has been driven by principals and teachers who understand what children need to be successful in the classroom. The innovation has spread from one school to another via principal networks and through concrete evidence of impact. By documenting and reporting the results of our programming, we can change principals', teachers', and parents' beliefs that a sustainable recess program can improve student outcomes in the classroom. 

Since launching Playworks Utah in 2011 with our Coach program in five schools, we have been successful in diversifying our program models and services as well at the framework for how we contemplate our impact and work. Our ability to innovate and tailor our programming to each schools' need has been instrumental in our growth to 56 schools and allowed our organization to deliver impact on a transformative scale.

We have plans to develop, test, and expand new channels, tools, and partnerships over the next four years to continue to scale our operation and reach 175,000 kids by 2020. Through inspiring and empowering school communities to assess and execute successful strategies in implementing positive play, we can truly change the education system to value safe and healthy play as a vehicle for greater child development, and ultimately: success.