An increasing number of media outlets have added their voices recently to those urging reform of the chess program in Chicago’s public schools. A selection of the public comments follows.
NEW YORK TIMES:
Whitney Young… was the only representative at the [December 2013] K-12 Championships from [Chicago], which is not known as a chess stronghold. More students are enrolled in scholastic chess programs and are sent to tournaments across the country from schools in New York, which sends more teams to competitions than any other city; Miami; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and even Brownsville, Texas. It is unusual for a city as large as Chicago, with 2.7 million people, to have only one school enter a tournament as prestigious as the K-12 Championships. By comparison, Los Alamos, N.M., population 18,000, also sent one school. (Dylan Loeb McClain, December 28, 2013)
CHICAGO TRIBUNE:
For four years… the head of the youth committee of the Illinois Chess Association, the state's premier chess organization… has been campaigning for a bigger, better, independent and free chess program in Chicago Public Schools… Given all the research that shows how chess improves kids' grades, test scores, behavior and attendance, [ICA had asked why] the private chess companies that run Chicago's programs charg[ed] fees that put chess out of reach for poor kids? [And] why was there so little chess in poor neighborhoods? ... His plan would involve CPS oversight but be relieved of what he and his supporters view as the school system's politics, cronyism and narrow vision for chess… His allies include people with impressive pedigrees in chess and finance. He's convinced they can raise the money to support the plan but — one of those chicken-and-egg problems — they can't raise the money until CPS commits… [M]any school coaches… have rallied behind [his] idea… But Chicago public school officials are skeptical of his proposal… Who's right? … I'll give the relentless [youth committee chair] the last word: "What do you have to lose by trying?" (Mary Schmich, November 24, 2013)
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES:
I’ve been busy trying to figure out why the Chicago Public Schools doesn’t have a vibrant chess program. First, let’s state the obvious: CPS should have one. Common sense and research tells you chess is great for kids — it boosts concentration, focus, problem-solving, discipline… New York City puts Chicago to shame on the chess front, with 23,000 student players versus about 1,500 in Chicago last year… New York dominates national competitions rarely even attended by Chicago teams and has low-cost or free tournaments every weekend. (Kate Grossman, October 2, 2013)
DNAinfo CHICAGO:
The state's top chess agency has been offering for years to totally fund and organize a citywide program in Chicago schools, but the Mayor's Office and Chicago Public Schools have yet to take them up on their offer… The [ICA] posted an editorial last week… [saying] it has failed to win support "because of turnover of CPS administrations and senior staff, bureaucratic hurdles and opposition by a few private companies who charge fees for their services.” All the [ICA] wants…is an endorsement from the mayor or CPS so that sponsor money can flow into the school district… Suggestions that the association go ahead and do the groundwork and then seek a formal endorsement, [ICA] said, aren't realistic. "Our financing [team] says, look, if there's no buy-in from the city, if it doesn't look like they're really accepting the idea of setting up a first-class program, what are we going to do, try to force it on them afterward?" [said the chair of ICA’s youth committee]. (Ted Cox, September 3, 2013)
CHICAGO READER:
Only seven of CPS's 106 high schools fielded a team in the state [championship] tournament. And the sad fact is that the overwhelming majority of kids in Chicago will go through school never getting the chance to learn the lessons that chess can teach them because their schools don't have teams… Why must we pretend we're a destitute third-world city when it comes to public education, but when it comes to subsidizing [other projects] it's about letting the good times roll? Yo, Mr. Mayor—when you're done answering that, dig into the slush fund and find some money for public school chess. We'll pretend it was your idea all along. (Ben Joravsky, September 10, 2013)
ILLINOIS’ GRANDMASTERS AND INTERNATIONAL MASTERS:
[Chicago’s program] lags far behind programs in other cities… ICA’s proposal… has the potential of creating the strongest program in the country… Your leadership is required… In our view, only the ICA has the energy, vision and expertise to build a top quality program… All of us have walked difficult paths and overcome obstacles… [We] have dealt with discrimination and hardship and have learned many of life’s difficult lessons. We have also come to know intimately the benefits that accrue to those who commit themselves to difficult tasks, maintain their focus and concentration, and learn to deal with adversity and loss. We are committed to passing on some of those lessons to Chicago’s schoolchildren, including those who are less fortunate and who could benefit the most from the great potential of chess… The time is right to add chess to your list of accomplishments, and we stand ready to help. . (Letters to Mayor Emanuel January 29, 2012 and September 18, 2013)
CPS CHESS COACHES:
Unlike many other sports and activities, chess… crosses all social, ethnic, and economic lines. It is an activity that ought to be available to all the children in the Chicago Public Schools. Unfortunately, due to a gross lack of support for chess in CPS, only a small percentage of schools have quality chess programs. With the proper support from the city and the school system, chess programs in CPS can grow to…surpass those of other cities… [Running chess from] the CPS Sports Department… continues to be the most significant factor holding back the growth of chess in CPS. [The proposal by ICA] is the best opportunity that Chicago has… No longer would chess be at the bottom of the totem pole… Your involvement in this issue is needed… (Letter to Mayor Emanuel from Coaches’ Association, February, 2012)
I spend most of my time [as a chess coach] trying to raise money through candy sales and skating parties. Being in a Chicago Public School is sometimes like being in a Third World country. (Neal Suwe, Kelly High School, October, 2013)
There are no resources available. No advice, no support structures, nothing. (Julie Vassilatos, former coach at Ray Elementary School, October, 2013)
CHICAGO SCHOOLS ADVISORY BOARD (ICA’s fundraising team):
Based on our collective experience in financing and fundraising, we believe we are well positioned to achieve and surpass the anticipated capital needs of an ambitious new program for Chicago. (Letter to Mayor Emanuel, April 25, 2013)
MAYOR EMANUEL:
It is no secret that learning the fundamentals of chess and playing regularly directly impacts success in the classroom, extracurricular activities and in life. Chess promotes the important qualities of decision-making and sportsmanship through the rigors of paced competition. Any level of commitment to the game of chess serves players well in their endeavors within a variety of business, professional and academic areas, or on whatever path they choose to pursue. (Letter to the United States Chess Federation upon Chicago being named “Chess City of the Year,” August 3, 2013)
The Mayor’s Office has been engaged and supportive of the Illinois Chess Association and other chess providers' vision for a strong, independent chess program that would be available to students of all backgrounds. (Statement, August 30, 2013)
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
We do not have the amount of money ICA is seeking to provide the program. (Statement issued September 5, 2013) (Note: the program is being offered at no cost to the city.)