THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

62

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCORPORATE THE GAME OF CHESS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO PROMOTE THE ENHANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND CREATIVITY IN CHILDREN.

 

WHEREAS, the game of chess has long been recognized throughout the world as a builder of strong intellects; and

WHEREAS, in countries where chess is offered widely in schools, students exhibit excellence in the ability to recognize complex patterns and consequently excel in math and science; and

WHEREAS, chess brings out latent abilities, not always reached by traditional educational means, by promoting logical thinking, instilling a sense of self-confidence, and improving communication and pattern recognition skills; and

WHEREAS, studies indicate that students who participate in chess increase their scores in creative thinking tests; and

WHEREAS, children who play chess are introduced to basic algebraic notations that increase their concentration and familiarity with the subject, making them more efficient learners of mathematics; and

WHEREAS, a report demonstrated that elementary students who participated in a school chess club showed twice the improvement in reading and mathematics than their non-chess playing peers; and

WHEREAS, many of the strategies that are involved in chess are merely complex mathematical algorithms that children understand and decipher naturally; and

WHEREAS, chess increases strategic thinking skills, stimulates intellectual creativity, and improves problem-solving ability while raising self esteem; and

WHEREAS, the skills developed through chess provide the basic ground work for analytical thinking and pattern recognition which better prepares students for their traditional studies; and

WHEREAS, when children play chess they utilize higher-levels of thinking to analyze actions and consequences, and visualize future possibilities; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that the Department of Education is urged to incorporate the instruction of chess in the classroom to promote the enhancement of education and creativity in students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and the President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Chess program in public school curriculum