National Debate Project The Debate Center

The purpose of the Debate Center is to fill in the gaps of high school debate training in the metro-Atlanta area and the state of Georgia more broadly. In the process the Debate Center encourages learning related to skills necessary for success in a college environment. Georgia State’s partners in the Debate Center include Emory University and selected debate coaches currently active in the Atlanta Public School system.

·In 2005-2006, the popularity of the Debate Center has expanded to more than 200 visitors every week.

·Over the past five years, 1500 students from 81 high schools throughout the State of Georgia have attended the one-day workshops.

Middle School Initiative: The Computer Assisted Debate Project

..........The purpose of the Computer Assisted Debate (CAD) Project is to provide a challenging and engaging after-school debate experience for seriously at-risk middle school children that reside in Atlanta Housing Association (AHA) communities. Our community partners in the CAD program include the Atlanta Housing Authority, the Atlanta Public School System, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro-Atlanta, Techbridge, and Emory University.

Benjamin S. Carson Honors Preparatory School

Harper Archer Middle School

Carver Middle School

*Selected by the White House to be its 2005 signature school program for its Helping America’s Youth Initiative.

*President’s Award from the Atlanta Housing Authority for outstanding service to youth

*Currently being modeled as a start-up program in Baltimore, MD, Miami, FL, and Nashville, TN

*National Award for Higher Education and Community Partnerships Finalist

*Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Partnership Foundation

 DEBATE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

“If debating is a way to improve inner city schools, it’s only reaching a small number of students.  One answer is to introduce it into every classroom so kids would debate the pros and cons of a piece of literature, or a scientific theory…[a] vehicle to refocus their energy from destructive to constructive.”

The goal of Debate Across the Curriculum (DAC) is to provide the benefits of debate to a broader base of students than those interested in competing on their debate team. DAC brings the educational tool of debate into the classroom, whether in science, music & art, math, social studies, humanities, or any other academic field.  All academic disciplines have theories or paradigms that are open to debate, making them fertile grounds for active student learning.

While a history class might debate the causes of the Civil War, an art class might debate the aesthetic effects of particular color selections. Science classes might examine the influence of environmental factors on the spread of asthma, while English courses might debate the role of a character or theme in a novel.

DAC presents debate as a means that teachers of all subjects can use to better involve their students in learning.  Debate’s success at improving research skills, analytical thinking, organization, and oral presentation are all factors that can improve student performance in all classrooms.  Debate requires the students to examine the material at a deeper level, given the anticipation that rather than simply parrot back information, students will actually have to defend the stance they take on class material.

The faculty and staff of the National Debate Project teach workshops to principals and teachers to demonstrate how to implement Debate Across the Curriculum.  The workshops are hands-on in the sense that they have the participants experience debates in an effort to have them understand the expectations and anxieties that the students may feel in such a program. 

The National Debate Project has conducted Debate Across the Curriculum training for the teachers and/or principals of Southside High School , Harper Archer Middle School , Dekalb County Humanities programs (English, Music, Political Science, etc.), Miami Dade County , Nashville , TN School District , and Providence , RI School District .

Teaching and Learning

The NDP offers training for interested program administrators, teachers, and coaches in its Capacity Building Institute held each summer in one week, and more intensive two week summer residential and commuter programs. Housed on the Emory University campus, the program features faculty and staff from Georgia State, Emory, Tennessee State and other seasoned university consultants from the urban debate network. The institute provides training in argumentation, computer research, oral communication, debate across the curriculum, tournament and league administration, and assessment, for both new and experienced league leaders. A practicum for participants with urban debate students engaged in their own training programs allows teachers and administrators to work in an active learning environment. Held in summer 2009 (specific dates forthcoming) one fee covers materials, instruction, housing, meal plan, and the practicum program. Graduate academic credit is also available for the training program through either Georgia State or Emory.

The NDP provides on-going consultation services for interested program administrators, teachers, and coaches. Consultants operate on-site, or bring interested participants for work in the various programs operating in Atlanta for hands-on training. Services include close advising and training for tournament tabulations, school system relations, community partner development, grant solicitation, assessment protocol development and partnership, debate across the curriculum training for entire secondary school faculties, after school program templates, and other aspects of league advancement. An individualized plan can be developed in consultation with appropriate local actors to maximize the success of a particular urban education initiative.

International Reach

Internationally NDP consultants have conducted debate across the curriculum

national network of debate communities

ALOUD

 

ENGAGING NEW COMMUNITIES

ON-THE-GROUND EXPERIENCE

Featuring a team with over a century of debate experience and a record of achievement in establishing effective debate programs, ALOUD partners act as technical assistance consultants identifying external assets and maintaining quality assurance.   ALOUD’s guiding principles are coupled with proven debate support systems that raise academic achievement to the next level.   By helping children achieve academic and social proficiency during their middle and high school years, ALOUD is inspiring the next generation of great teachers, doctors, lawyers, activists, and community leaders.

ACCESSIBLE TO NON-TRADITIONAL PARTNERS AS WELL AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Colleges, religious institutions, community-based organizations, school districts, corporations, and government agencies want to deliver their message in innovative ways and upgrade the communication and analytical skills of their employees and students.   An organization grounded with a vision of what debate can be is best suited to serve these interests. ALOUD’s model positions debate as an instrument of understanding that builds civic discourse in diverse sectors and captures the imagination of individuals and groups who are excited by what it can do for a young person.

This is our message to urban students:

The NAUDL welcomes new UDL Directors in the Bay Area, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, and St. Louis, and wishes them luck in the coming year and beyond. All the new League Directors convened a conference in Chicago on September 11-12 to address such varied issues as the logistics of hosting a debate tournament; publicity, development, and advocacy; and the socioeconomic complexities of building an Urban Debate League.