The 2008-2009 Fremont Federation of High Schools team embodying debate success!

Proving that debate is more than just winning and losing, fierce argumentation and convincing judges, this week’s edition of the Journal of Negro Education features enlightening research on the incredible impact of debate.  The study, which dissects a decade of urban debate via the Chicago Debate League, was led by Dr. Briana Mezuk of Virginia Commonwealth University and researchers at the University of Michigan.  Joining forces with the Chicago Public Schools and the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University if Chicago, Mezuk conducted research that highlights debate as a revolutionary tool in urban schools.  Compared to their non-debater peers, participants in an Urban Debate League experienced boosts in student achievement.  Among African American males, for example, the benefits of debate were extraordinary:

• Debaters were 70% more likely to graduate from high school and 3 times less likely to drop out.
• Debaters were 50% more likely to reach the “college ready” benchmark on the ACT English test and 70% more likely to reach the “college ready” benchmark on the ACT Reading test.

Is it the stamina is takes to debate, round after round, at a tournament?  Is it the critical thinking skills gained from examining an argument from every angle?  Is it the vast support system of Urban Debate Leagues like BAUDL?  To unlock the answers on why debate leagues are successful, educational tools, visit The Evidence Center – a website that compiles facts, information, and research about debate’s benefits.  Furthermore, briefs that thoroughly explain the enriching wonders of debate in urban schools can be found by clicking here.

If you have any more questions about this exciting research, please feel free to contact the National Urban Debate League’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Eric Tucker, at erictucker@urbandebate.org or, locally, Program Coordinator, Jen Nguyen, at jennifernguyen@baudl.org.