The mission of the Title I Challenging Higher Education for Students in our Schools (CHESS) Program is to create well-rounded, lifelong learners. The CHESS Program develops critical thinking, logic and reasoning, problem solving, computer literacy, patterns and outcomes recognition, interpersonal relationships, communication, and self-esteem skills. Additionally, CHESS also enhances student-teacher relationships and increases parental involvement.
The Title I CHESS Program is designed for students in schools implementing the Title I Program. CHESS is a program that uses the game of CHESS to help students develop their concentration skills and intellectual maturity. Recent research suggests that one of the most neglected areas in today’s educational system is instruction aimed at developing logic and reasoning. Research also indicates that students who develop their logic and reasoning abilities are those who are academically successful. The CHESS Program facilitates acquisition of these skills, thus increasing students’ opportunities of being successful in the academic arena. To this end, the CHESS Program has identified the following as areas critical to student success:
• Strategizing
• Logic and Reasoning
• Outcome Prediction
• Problem Solving
• Sequencing
• Cause and Effect
• Visualization
• Self-Confidence
• Responsibility
• Concentration and Commitment
• Interpersonal Skills
The Title I CHESS Program offers the following structured services:
• Facilitator Training
• Program Implementation
• Orientation
• Materials (chess sets, clocks, book, software, teacher demonstration board, video)
• Support Services
• Regional Centers and District Competitions
The following are special features of the CHESS Program:
• Peer Coaching
• Community Service Hours for High School Students
• Feeder Pattern Participation
• Local, Regional Centers, State and National Tournaments
• Calendar of Upcoming Events
• Small Group Peer Study Teams
• Student Test-Taking Skills Workshops
• Student CHESS Camp
• Magazines
Requirements for Implementation
It is recommended that the Title I CHESS Program participants attend the program sessions for a minimum of 3 hours weekly (1 hour, 3 days per week). The initial meeting will be used for game orientation and training. Participants will review videos, observe actual games and participate in demonstrations. Additionally, participants will have access to chess software, which contains game simulations, animations and tutorials. The chess software will be used to reinforce game rules and strategies. CHESS activities will begin prior to or at the end of the teacher’s regular workday.
The CHESS Program activities will be divided into two thirty-minute sessions. Session one will cover training and instruction (including computer sessions for reinforcement) and session two will cover match play (student/student).
The evaluation tools may include but are not limited to the following:
• FCAT and SAT Score Analysis
• Student Attendance
• Pre/Post Surveys
• Student Rankings based on Match Play Performance
• Facilitator’s Observations
• Computer Performance Printout
Locations
Selected schools.
Budgetary Implications
Funded through school-site budgets.
Part-time hourly pay for facilitators.
Student transportation.
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