National Association for Urban Debate Leagues

The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) is a Chicago-based non-profit organization that prepares low income students of color to succeed in college and in their future careers by organizing and supporting competitive debate teams in urban public schools across the country. The NAUDL engages in advocacy and fundraising on behalf of Urban Debate Leagues (UDLs), which operate at 500 high schools and middle schools in 19 cities across the U.S., including New York, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.^[1]

NAUDL Logo

A map of core Urban Debate Network cities, expansion cities, and prospective sites for new UDLs.

Debate is known to improve critical thinking skills and educational outcomes.^[2]

Leadership

Chairman of the Board of Directors: Lenny Gail

Executive Director: Linda Listrom

Focus

• Increasing the number of active debaters.

• Maintaining and improving educational quality of the debating experience.

• Promoting sustainability of local UDLs.

• Documenting the impact of Urban Debate participation.

• Encouraging school systems nationally to support urban debate.

Strategy

• Establishing new UDLs.

• Strengthening struggling UDLs.

• Expanding the scope and quality of debate coaching and instruction.

• Connecting UDLs across the country via networking events and other services.

The Power Of Debate

NAUDL believes that participation in urban debate prepares young people for their futures, while transforming school systems and communities.

Student Impact

• Reduces achievement gaps. A recent study of the Chicago Debate League by Briana Mezuk analyzed CDL data from 1997 to 2006 and found that debate improved graduation rates and ACT scores among African American males. African American male participants were 70% more likely to graduate and three times less likely to drop out compared to nonparticipants. Debaters also had higher average ACT scores than non-debaters—20.3 compared to 18.5. Additionally, students who debated 25 or more rounds in high school had 12th grade GPAs on average .20 points higher (the equivalent of 20% of a letter grade) than students debating fewer than 5 rounds.^[3]

• Refines decision-making and interpersonal skills. Debate hones critical-thinking and problem solving skills. Urban debaters also demonstrate higher levels of self-confidence and flexibility in viewpoint.^[4]

• Bridges high school and college. Urban Debate Leagues encourage students to attend college and provides them the tools to succeed there. More than 75 percent of urban debaters go to four-year colleges with a matriculation rate at about 80 percent, according to Mezuk's study.

• Develops 21st Century Learning Skills. Debate helps students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in the work force.^[5] The NAUDL recognizes that students today need to be able to think critically and creatively to analyze data, use technology for high level research, and learn to craft effective and logical arguments based on evidence from credible sources. The learning and experience from debate programs help students develop these skills and helps them learn to make decisions and argue effectively from evidence-based policy positions. Urban debaters also learn to collaborate and solve problems as they work as a member of a team while debating.

School Impact

• Improves school district test scores. UDLs develop students’ reading and writing skills, while literacy and communication test scores typically improve.^[1]

• Debaters are good role models. Participants can be positive influences on their peers, given their academic performance, lower absenteeism, and higher rates of college enrollment. Debaters are also often adept at peaceful conflict resolution, research shows.^[6]

• Debate programs impact curriculum. The incorporation of formal debating throughout the regular curriculum is offered in several school districts with UDLs. Almost half of all Urban Debate Network schools offer an Argumentation and Debate course.^[1]

Community Impact

• Young people from low income communities enter the adult world prepared to meet demands of civic responsibility. Neighborhoods benefit from having individuals equipped to contribute to the democratic process and become leaders both in their communities and on a wider scale.^[1]

Special Events

Urban Debate National Championship

Established in 2008, this tournament features 84 of the nation’s top UDL debaters squaring off in a major U.S. city every April. Debaters compete in regional tournaments for the right to advance to the National Championship. Shagun Kukreja and Amna Tariq from University High School of Humanities in Newark, New Jersey won the 2011 Championship on a 3-0 decision.^[7]

NAUDL Annual Dinner

This event is held to “celebrate the growth of urban debate and its life-changing impact on students nationwide.” It takes place every April, and precedes the start of the National Championship. The event is attended by former debaters and supporters.^[8]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Urban Debate Quick Facts". About Urban Debate. NAUDL. http://www.urbandebate.org/quickfacts.shtml. Retrieved 26 September 2011. 
2. ^ Barfield, Kenny (1989). A study of the relationship between active participation in interscholastic debating and the development of critical thinking skills with implications for school administrators and instructional leaders. University of Alabama,. http://books.google.com/books/about/A_study_of_the_relationship_between_acti.html?id=j0YuHwAACAAJ. 
3. ^ Mezuk, Briana (2009). "Urban debate and high school educational outcomes for African American males: The case of the Chicago Debate League". The Journal of Negro Education 78 (3): 290–304. 
4. ^ Bellon, Joe (2000). "A RESEARCH-BASED JUSTIFICATION FOR DEBATE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM.". Argumentation & Advocacy 36 (3): 161–165. http://groups.wfu.edu/debate/MiscSites/DRGArticles/dEBATEACROSSTHECIRC.doc. Retrieved 26 September 2011. 
5. ^ "Skills for the 21st Century.". http://www.memphisdebate.org/?page_id=81. Memphis Urban Debate League. http://www.memphisdebate.org/?page_id=81. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
6. ^ "Benefits to School Districts". Urban Debate Value. National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. http://www.urbandebate.org/value.shtml. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
7. ^ "The Urban Debate National Championship". Events. National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. http://www.urbandebate.org/nationalchampionship.shtml. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
8. ^ "NAUDL Annual Dinner". Events. National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. http://www.urbandebate.org/nationaldinner.shtml. Retrieved 28 September 2011.