THE EDUCATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF DEBATE

"Since the middle of the last century, interscholastic debate programs have been common throughout the nation's more affluent public and private schools. These programs have provided generations of more privileged students the substantial academic benefits that result from training in rhetoric, persuasion, organized communication, and argument. In debate, the preparation and delivery of argumentation provides students with the opportunity to think critically, develop their academic research skills, improve their communication abilities, solve problems creatively, and increase their self-confidence. Because students involved in debate regularly engage in writing, information analysis, and in-depth library and Internet research, they often receive higher grades than non-debaters in high school, and are more likely to continue on to post-secondary education. Debate enables students to express their views effectively and to respond cogently to arguments with which they disagree. In addition, debate students are often the most well read and well informed in their grade level. The scope of their studies -- from the mental health care crisis to curbing the spread of weapons of mass destruction -- means that debate students take part in a truly worldwide examination of the issues facing all people. Urban Debate Leagues, now flourishing in low-income schools, are designed to teach advocacy skills so that students are empowered to be the architects of their own futures."