The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) is a
Chicago
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-based
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
that prepares low income students of color to succeed in college and in their future careers by organizing and supporting competitive
debate
Debate is a process that involves formal discourse on a particular topic, often including a moderator and audience. In a debate, arguments are put forward for often opposing viewpoints. Debates have historically occurred in public meetings, a ...
teams in urban public schools across the country. The NAUDL engages in advocacy and fundraising on behalf of
Urban Debate Leagues (UDLs), which operate at 500 high schools and middle schools in 19 cities across the U.S., including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, D.C., New York, and Los Angeles.
Debate is believed to improve
critical thinking
Critical thinking is the analysis of available facts, evidence, observations, and arguments to form a judgement. The subject is complex; several different definitions exist, which generally include the rational, skeptical, and unbiased analysis ...
skills and educational outcomes.
Special Events
Urban Debate National Championship
Established in 2008, this tournament features 84 of the nation’s top UDL debaters squaring off in a major U.S. city every April. Debaters compete in regional tournaments for the right to advance to the National Championship. Shagun Kukreja and Amna Tariq from University High School of Humanities in
Newark, New Jersey
Newark ( , ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County and the second largest city within the New York metropolitan area.[Competitive debate in the United States
Competitive debate, also known as forensics or speech and debate, has a history in the United States dating back to colonial times. The practice, an import from British education, began as in-class exercises in which students would present argum ...]
References
Debating societies
Urban debate leagues