Could Chess Make a Difference?

While most schools did show significant drops in test scores for the new Common Core aligned tests in New York, not all schools showed these declines.

When I checked out the web sites of schools that had shown improvement with the switch to the more rigorous standards, I saw things that anyone might expect. These schools showed a strong emphasis on math discussion. Students were expected to justify their answers both orally and in writing.

I did see one thing that I had not expected. Many of these schools offered chess programs for elementary students. Could this be part of the answer? Chess teaches patience and problem solving skills. The game format may even be helpful. Elementary school chess is part of the curriculum in many countries known for their high achievement in math. It could be worth trying in your school.