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Debate teaches critical thinking, research,
and oral communication skills that improve student academic performance
and self-esteem. The Seattle Debate Foundation believes that these skills
should be taught to all students, not just those on the debate team.
School systems and local leaders want tangible results now. Depending on design, debate offers mentoring, teacher training, youth development, leadership training, literacy skills, after-school programming, and awareness initiatives. We bring school districts seeking new innovations and universities wanting to engage in debate together. Debate is a powerful lever to counteract two triggers of teenage violence – low empathy and short time horizon. Urban students involved in debate report a lower level of frustration because they feel more confident in their oral fluency. They are simply less likely to resort to violence because they can effectively communicate their ideas. Numerous studies have demonstrated that debate reduces school violence and disciplinary issues.
Curricular debate programs allow the academic power of debate to reach more and more students each day
To accomplish this, the SDF provides resources
to Seattle Public Schools teachers to integrate debate into their curricula. Innovative teachers are the passport to educational change. Debate has attracted new Teach for America teachers as well as seasoned veterans because of the interactive and exciting nature of the curriculum. By engaging debate as a curricular tool and positioning ALOUD to work with universities and school systems on certification and training, debate offers an easy way to spread its power to school districts initially not interested in national circuit competition.
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