Debate: Transforming the Urban Spectrum
In 2009 President Obama said to the nation’s students, “Maybe you could be a mayor or a
Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team”(Obama 2009). One of the most pressing issues in America is the decreasing academic performance of urban schools. Students in urban schools are not achieving as much as their suburban counterparts and educators have very few ways to motivate students to do better. While there are many issues beyond educator’s control, social and economic backgrounds are the most prevalent and keep students from reaching their true potential. When students are faced with adversity they are less motivated and less likely to move forward in their education. In urban schools this leads to high dropout rates, low percentages of students seeking post secondary education, and low minority representation in the competitive career pipeline.
The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) started in the 1970’s in
Atlanta’s urban school system in order to address the declining school system and promote the support of debate. Their mission is to provide urban debate to as many students as possible in
America. Since its beginning it has found its way into 21 cities and has advocated for the integration of debate in public schools and has proved its effectiveness in thousands of students.
When a student participates in debate, they can expect to benefit in at least three different skill areas: social and communication skills, academic skills, and professional preparation (McBath,
237). These skills have been proven to be successful in the development of students. By concentrating on these skills, even students who attend low performing urban schools can be amongst the high achieving group. While educators look for a way to transform student performance, they should look towards debate. By creating a debate based curriculum, educators can build career- ready
Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team”(Obama 2009). One of the most pressing issues in America is the decreasing academic performance of urban schools. Students in urban schools are not achieving as much as their suburban counterparts and educators have very few ways to motivate students to do better. While there are many issues beyond educator’s control, social and economic backgrounds are the most prevalent and keep students from reaching their true potential. When students are faced with adversity they are less motivated and less likely to move forward in their education. In urban schools this leads to high dropout rates, low percentages of students seeking post secondary education, and low minority representation in the competitive career pipeline.
The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) started in the 1970’s in
Atlanta’s urban school system in order to address the declining school system and promote the support of debate. Their mission is to provide urban debate to as many students as possible in
America. Since its beginning it has found its way into 21 cities and has advocated for the integration of debate in public schools and has proved its effectiveness in thousands of students.
When a student participates in debate, they can expect to benefit in at least three different skill areas: social and communication skills, academic skills, and professional preparation (McBath,
237). These skills have been proven to be successful in the development of students. By concentrating on these skills, even students who attend low performing urban schools can be amongst the high achieving group. While educators look for a way to transform student performance, they should look towards debate. By creating a debate based curriculum, educators can build career- ready