Debating a Way to a Brighter Future

Through debate leagues, many youths around the country have been given hope for a better future. Debate has helped students prepare for college and the future ahead of them. One local Boston organization helping these youths is the Boston Debate League (BDL), an organization geared toward guiding students to enhance their speaking skills while keeping them off the streets and out of trouble after school hours. Founded in 2005, the BDL has since helped a many students from Boston area public schools prepare for college and to ultimately change their future lives.

"Debate not only helps students read, write, and speak, " says Steve Stein, Executive Director of the Boston Debate League, "but it also raises their confidence, and in many cases, their GPA's as well."

In a recent study conducted by Dr. Briana Mezuk of Virginia Commonwealth University and researchers at the University of Michigan, debate was found to be beneficial to a student's future college career and overall success in high school. The study, published in the Negro Journal of Education, states participation in an Urban Debate League significantly increases a student’s chances of graduating from high school and performing at the expected college-level benchmarks on the ACT’s Reading and English subject-matter tests, when compared to similar students who did not participate in urban debate.

Although nearly all participants are greatly affected in some way, the study noted that African American males benefit the most, stating they are three times less likely to drop out of school and 70 percent more likely to graduate. The study includes 10 years of examination of students in the Chicago Debate League, a partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Debate Commission.

The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues has been expanding knowledge of urban debate across the country in hopes more students will participate in debate programs. Stein adds that, "Debate is a great way to get students involved and off the streets, and our organization, including volunteers, have succeeded in helping them to that."

Along with other debate leagues around the country, the BDL continues to grow. Last year, student participation increased by 50 percent, and Stein says it will hopefully keep increasing. "I'm excited to see what next year brings. Each year we have new students participate and we hope to keep those numbers increasing."

Ten Boston area public schools are participants in the BDL and the organization keeps expanding, which means more volunteers are needed. To help a group of high school students learn about the art of debate, contact Steve Stein at Steve@bostondebate.org or call 617-933-1897. Mentors meet once a week on Thursdays at Northeastern University. Tournament judges are also needed for monthly tournaments; the league provides training so debate experience is not required.