The National Association For Urban Debate Leagues

Programs: Research proves that naudl's urban debate programs are life-changing. An independent, peer reviewed ten-year research study found that 90% of the debaters graduated on time, compared to only 75% of similar students who did not debate. Among students who are most at-risk students of dropping out, 72% of debaters graduate, as compared with 43% of non-debaters. Every semester that a student debates his or her grades improve. Debaters are significantly more likely than similar non-debating students to test as college-ready on standardized tests in science (27% more likely), reading (15% more likely), english (15% more likely), and math (10% more likely). Urban debaters report significantly higher levels of school engagement, or academic motivation, than similar students who do not debate, and this higher level of engagement is one important reason for their high school success. Eighty-five percent of urban debaters attend college. Urban debaters are 89% more likely than non-debaters to attend a four-year college or university and 80% more likely to earn a degree within 6 years. Under naudl's leadership, urban debate has grown rapidly. In the last 6 years the number of urban debaters nationwide has more than doubled. The number of local urban debate programs, or leagues, has also continued to grow. In 2016 naudl added four new leagues - in miami, washington dc, san jose/east palo alto, and tulsa - to the urban debate network. In 2016 naudl also secured funding for a major expansion of the los angeles metropolitan debate league. With this support the league will add 10 schools and 200 students in south central los angeles to the program by june 2018. In 2017 naudl held its 10th annual urban debate national championship tournament in chicago. For most urban debaters, this is the only opportunity that they will have to compete at the national level. This tournament motivates all debaters to work hard throughout the year in the hopes that they will qualify. Naudl also honored renae salunga from los angeles as its 2017 urban debater of the year. A top student, and a top debater, renae is now a freshman at georgetown university. Naudl awarded small college scholarships to renae and seven other finalists. For the third consecutive year naudl collaborated with citi on the citi financial literacy debates, an innovative program which uses debate to teach financial literacy to urban students in chicago. At a public-style debate tournament, students debated whether they should save money for their education by attending a two-year community college, before transferring to a four-year college or university. The final round was held at a chicago high school, before an audience of more than 100 students.