chess a required subject in school ?

Most of us here have read articles in books and magazines where the virtues of chess have been enumerated. Many claim that it helps with such things as logic and calculation. If this is fact should it not be a required course in school.

Honestly I doubt if you could find many people who would seriously suggest this. My view on chess in schools is the same as my view on foreign languages in schools. It should be offered from 1st grade on and in every grade thereafter to anyone who wishes to take it, but not forced upon anyone. Both subjects can enrich lives but only for those who are interested,for the rest it is a form of torture.

 chess is classified as a game so the schools cannot make a game a required class. Also how would you grade the class? participation? Or would it be like a after school club because then usally you can't find enough interest or no one will be the coach

The european parliament is at this moment discussing a law to make chess an obligatory part of the school curriculum. Chances are that it will be accepted and give an enormous boost to our passion.

How do you grade art?

Whats more likely?

A 1300 beating a 2700

or

This happening 

This is very likely. 70%. Last week RTL television was a whole day in my chess club in brussels and same evening there was a tv reportage on it. Think it was 10 minutes. Posted it on here a forum, but it is in french. They focused on the youngsters who were obviously all in favor to get chess lessons in school.

Imagine if chess is a compulsory subject in school. Let's imagine a school where chess teachers can't be found. You get a student who doesn't want to learn it.

Teacher: Johnno, you have lost in 2 moves again!!!! sigh

Johnno: I'm trying my best [said through lying teeth]

Teacher: I know you are. You are making progress. Youcan go now .

Johnno walks out and sniggers to his  classmate : fool's mate - works with her every time. To heck with that boring game that I don't want to play. Let's shoot some hoops!

Perhaps chess itself to not be an entire subject, but I can see how it would be beneficial if it were studied for a semester or a term in another subject. People laughing about having football/tennis as subjects, well they already are (at least here in Aus) as part of a subject called "physical education."  Why not add chess to the curriculum? As was stated, it increases logic and calculation abilites. You would probably just need the one open minded school to start it and then show results over a couple of years. If it is beneficial, then why wouldn't this start to take off?

Fedtel, the germans are in favour...

I assumed you were talking about it as a compulsory activity, but not a graded subject, or did i misunderstand? 

Wow, I like it.  Plus I think it would be better if it was something like certification, such as ECDL.  You will certificate that you have qualifications such as patience, drawing strategy plans, THINKING before you act (which are important for managers, administrators etc).  I'm happy reading Bronsteinitz's post about european parliament  (I hope you aren't kidding us) It's not just a  game, like Snakes and Ladders.

Mandatory foreign language is much more important than chess IMHO and the sooner the better (ie beginning in elementary school not HS) because it's considered to be a fact that youngsters learn second languages with much more ease than adults. Even though I'm a "monolingual" hypocrite, but if nothing else being bilingual seems to be a good asset in the job market if nowhere else. And maybe it will help cure some kids of the typical tunnel vision many Americans have regarding the rest of the world.

Chess should not be mandatory in public schools - IMHO - but should be available as an elective course.

Of course chess should not be mandatory in school as there are higher priorities.  

Such as?

Gym class.  The war against obesity.  Onward!

Chess in school didn't make it through the socialistic and communistic times when chess did have state support in CCCR and YU, I don't see how it will today. It should be toot as a part of culture where chess naturaly belongs. And where it did have its place in that times.

Well in europe the chess clubs and federations are in favor and on chess.com not. It would be a boost to the popularity of our sport and you guys do not like it.. I will post the link to the tv piece later.

I think some people need to get real...chess taught in school just ain't going to happen, neither is Xbox because it helps hand eye coordination or the Wii in the battle against Xbox caused obesity. Lets not forget that this is a game, a very enjoyable game I grant you, but lets not allow our addiction to cloud our judgement.

But of course, that's true of all the subjects in school.