Mandatory Chess in Elementary Schools?

I don't think they should get rid of music and replace it with chess. That is just a rumour I heard and after all, chess is less expensive then music.

A great discussion topic! As long as you're asking for comments from the peanut gallery, here's my two cents:

While I'm not very musically inclined, I'd hate to see chess replace music in schools. But I would like to see more chess in schools - but only on a voluntary basis. A recent research paper that I read recommends only voluntary chess in schools, and that recommendation sounds about right to me. (Although I see nothing wrong with schools providing small enticements to encourage kids to sign up for chess.)

Here in the US, there is a significant push to get chess in more schools, and I think that's a commendable goal. But what I don't like seeing is the obvious positive bias shown by the people pushing this agenda. Don't forget that the people who write glowing articles about the magical properties of educational chess (such as the chess.about.com article Rahim posted) often have vested (read: monetary) interests such as income from teaching classes or organizing scholastic tournaments.

In my opinion, a more objective information source is the previously mentioned research paper. One of the authors is Dr. Fernand Gobet, who is one of the big names in chess-related cognitive psychology. (He has previously worked with Adriaan de Groot, and he's sort of the spiritual successor to Herbert Simon's work.) In a nutshell, the paper concludes that while chess instruction in school may provide "low-level" gains (such as improvement in concentration, learning to lose, and learning that improvement comes with learning), the jury still seems to be out concerning possible "high-level" gains (such as increase in intelligence, creativity, and school performance).

Here's the links to the Gobet web page (the first link) and the PDF research paper I mentioned (the second link).

http://people.brunel.ac.uk/~hsstffg/bibliography-by-topic.html

http://people.brunel.ac.uk/~hsstffg/preprints/chess_and_education.PDF

If the subject interests you, you should be able to get through the somewhat dry material without much trouble. On the other hand, if the subject isn't that interesting to you, then the paper might be a good antidote for insomnia. ;-)

Originally posted by Mad Rook
A great discussion topic! As long as you're asking for comments from the peanut gallery, here's my two cents:

While I'm not very musically inclined, I'd hate to see chess replace music in schools. But I would like to see more chess in schools - but only on a voluntary basis. A recent research paper that I read recommends only voluntary chess in schools, ...[text shortened]... hat interesting to you, then the paper might be a good antidote for insomnia. ;-)

Originally posted by Mad Rook
A great discussion topic! As long as you're asking for comments from the peanut gallery, here's my two cents:

While I'm not very musically inclined, I'd hate to see chess replace music in schools. But I would like to see more chess in schools - but only on a voluntary basis. A recent research paper that I read recommends only voluntary chess in schools, ...[text shortened]... hat interesting to you, then the paper might be a good antidote for insomnia. ;-)

Originally posted by Mad Rook
While I'm not very musically inclined, I'd hate to see chess replace music in schools. But I would like to see more chess in schools - but only on a voluntary basis.

Originally posted by Mad Rook
A great discussion topic! As long as you're asking for comments from the peanut gallery, here's my two cents:

While I'm not very musically inclined, I'd hate to see chess replace music in schools. But I would like to see more chess in schools - but only on a voluntary basis. A recent research paper that I read recommends only voluntary chess in schools, ...[text shortened]... hat interesting to you, then the paper might be a good antidote for insomnia. ;-)

So it begins. 2 days to write 2 pages on this topic.

I'm saying yes, it should be mandatory but it should not replace music, second language or anything like that.

Originally posted by Mad Rook
A great discussion topic! As long as you're asking for comments from the peanut gallery, here's my two cents:

While I'm not very musically inclined, I'd hate to see chess replace music in schools. But I would like to see more chess in schools - but only on a voluntary basis. A recent research paper that I read recommends only voluntary chess in schools, ...[text shortened]... hat interesting to you, then the paper might be a good antidote for insomnia. ;-)

I think it would improve education and raise the bar, but I don't know if MANDATORY chess education would be popular enough to happen.

Originally posted by exigentsky
I think it would improve education and raise the bar, but I don't know if MANDATORY chess education would be popular enough to happen.

Originally posted by RahimK
You better have a read of the 28 pg document. No concrete evidence that it does either one.

Originally posted by exigentsky
I didn't say it was a supported belief. That's just my impression. That's why I said "I think..." I will look at the evidence later.

If chess was mandatory then the fun would be gone. It would be a chore.

Originally posted by RahimK
Remember those days when you were a wee lad and had to take music and drama in elementary?

What if chess was a mandatory class also? How would you feel? Would you do better in school because of this(learn faster)?

I know a lot of elementary schools in my city are offering chess class at lunch or after school. It's a big thing in school now.

I've hear ...[text shortened]... music is out and chess is in and it's mandatory in some school in US.

Feedback/ thoughts?

Originally posted by YEAH BOY
It's called a Chess Club. Schools have had clubs for many many years. At all levels of education.