National Association for Urban Debate Leagues

Our Work The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues closes the achievement gap in urban public schools by giving urban students the opportunity to compete in academic debate. Our urban debate programs serve 10,154 students in 22 cities across the United States. 76% of urban debaters are from low-income families and 86% are students of color. What is Debate? Each year high school debaters throughout the country debate a single complex policy question, or resolution, for an entire year. This year students will debate whether the United States federal government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance. Debaters conduct extensive research on the resolution and develop arguments for and against in after-school practices and compete in two-person teams in a series of 75-minute debates. Our Results Through independent, peer-reviewed research, we know that urban debate works. It gives minority students from low-income families the tools they need to succe...