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connecting to College
No job in our city is more important than giving all our young people the guidance, education and opportunity they need ... to achieve their potential.
Two decades ago, the major barrier to college for many students was access to capital and scholarships were sufficient to move the nation forward in educating our young people. As our public schools face new challenges and continue to decline in many cities, students need methods to effectively bridge the gaps between their high school experiences and the expectations of college. Debate serves as an accelerant for students' learning capacities driving them to reach new heights, improving their self-esteem and creating a gateway for many to structure a pathway to collegiate and careeer success. According to Melissa Wade of the National Debate Project, "Emory admissions officers love students who enter college with debate skills. "They possess graduate level research skills." The ability of young people to enter college and succeed is a key metric for evaluating the success of the work of ALOUD and its partner programs.
Urban debate communities report that they send more than 75% of their students to four-year colleges ahead of national averages. These debate communities form partnerships with colleges that provide access to campus facilities and student mentors. Participants acquire the tools to succeed in college.
ALOUD's Connecting to College program capitalizes on the unique difference debate can make in the success of a child. ALOUD partners host college fairs, financial literacy workshops, college roundtables and develop college management plans to help their students stay in school and make the rights choices. At the same time, colleges who are looking to build stronger ties to the community, diversify their student population and develop ambassadors for their schools view ALOUD partners as an excellent resource with admissions officers and debate coaches descending on events in droves. This win-win relationship is described further in our submenus which identify our current partners and describe how colleges can be involved in ALOUD.
This is our message to urban students:
Your Voice. Your Future. Debate.
2007 Associated Leaders of Urban Debate
330 West 42nd Street Suite 2420
New York, NY 10036
(Tel) 1-866-4DEBATE, (fax) 212-471-8664