There is limited research on the relationship between recess and student academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between academic achievement and recess among third graders in the state of Florida. The study is significant in two ways: (a) determine if there is a relationship between the independent variable of state-mandated free-play recess and the dependent variable student achievement, and (b) expand the limited body of knowledge available regarding the impact of recess on student achievement. An ex post facto research design was utilized and data were analyzed using Pearson chi-square and an independent t-test to determine if a statistically significant difference existed between the 2017 and 2018 Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) third grade English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics test scores before and after the implementation of state-mandated free-play recess.