A survey of students participating in Your Move Chess, an after-school chess program created by Ascension and the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, shows it is having the intended effect of positively engaging students in and out of the classroom.
The program in the Ferguson-Florissant School District in St. Louis County started in fall 2015, creating 18 clubs at 16 schools in its first semester. These schools, which have an average minority student population of 88 percent, serve many highly disadvantaged students, with an average of 79 percent receiving free or reduced-price lunches.
The survey ofparticipating students conducted by the Chess Club found that Your Move Chess is already achieving its goals of providing children tools to sharpen their minds, to look into and plan for the future, and to see themselves as thinkers in control of their own decisions. A total of 75 students participating in the program were surveyed, providing the following information:
- 94 percent say the program has taught them that they can complete difficult tasks if they work hard (64 percent strongly agree, 30 percent somewhat agree);
- 95 percent say their experience in the program makes them want to challenge themselves more in the future (63 percent strongly agree, 32 percent somewhat agree).
- 92 percent say the program has made them more confident that they can learn difficult material (57 percent strongly agree, 35 percent somewhat agree);
- 85 percent of students say they look forward to school more on days when they have Chess Club (65 percent strongly agree, 20 percent somewhat agree);
"These results show what we believed to be the case: structured chess has a positive impact on students, both in academics and in their personal lives," said Nick Ragone, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Ascension. "Chess provides an opportunity to develop logical thinking skills, discipline, attention to detail, strategic planning and complex problem solving. And of course, it's fun, too."
Nearly half of the students reported that they had never played chess before, while an additional third had played only a few times. Surveys given before and after the program began demonstrate specific benefits for the children regarding their ability and confidence in playing chess. Overall, the students:
- Significantly increased the amount of time they spent playing chess with family and friends;
- Significantly increased their confidence in their chess-playing abilities, and decreased their belief that chess is confusing; and
- Significantly increased their plans to continue playing chess when they are adults.
"We couldn't be happier with the results of the program so far," said Tony Rich, Executive Director for the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. "That's why we're working to advance and expand Your Move Chess to more schools in the St. Louis region and beyond and looking for additional corporate and community sponsors to help."
To support efforts to expand the program, Ascension and the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis are holding a fundraiser on February 11. Chess Grandmasters Maurice Ashley, a champion of Your Move Chess, and Fabiano Caruana will be in attendance. The event will include chess matches, lessons, musical entertainment, and an opportunity to connect with others from the community who are working toward a common goal.
