"It's about teaching and it's about time." Book Titlet

Testimonials

"Students who are disengaged in a traditional classroom setting gravitate to debate. The excitement of debate tournaments ignites their intellectual curiosity. Once their mind catches fire, the curiosity spreads to other areas of their life. They begin to ask critically-in-formed questions about their history textbooks, their neighborhoods, and the nightly news. I've seen the reading scores of students who join debate jump two grade levels in a single semester. They learn how to read passages critically and actively."
- Betty Maddox, Consultant, Atlanta Public Schools

"When I became an assistant debate coach in college at a local high school I realized that UDLs do much more than traditional academics. Through debate, students are given the opportunity to make sense of their society and learn to formulate and support rational and logical arguments. Competitive debate forces students to look outside their pre-conceived views, at both sides of an issue, and thereby deepens their ability to cope with complexity and to understand nuance."
- Van Nguyen, Brown University, UDL Alumna, Oakland

"As a result of debate, my students have developed strong interpersonal and communication skills. They present themselves and their ideas with greater confidence. In addition, they have gained better study habits and learned how to write complicated, research-based essays. These skills will serve them well in college, on the job market, and throughout life."
- Sal Tinajero, Teacher and School Board Member, Fullerton-Union High School, Los Angeles

"The economy of the United States depends to an even greater extent on the productivity and preparedness of all of our workforce. To protect and secure our way of life, we must provide all of our youth with a world-class education. Urban Debate Leagues take us a solid step closer to that goal. UDLs work with teachers to build creative and innovative classrooms. These debate leagues can help reduce the educational-opportunity gap that separates rich and poor communities and thus they can help our children's chances and our nation's future."
- Robert B. Reich, Professor of Public Policy, University of California Berkeley, former U.S. Secretary of Labor

This is our message to urban students:

Your Voice. Your Future. Debate.