Introduction to BUDL

Mission: The Baltimore Urban Debate League’s (BUDL) mission is to enrich the academic experience and overall development of students from Baltimore City’s public middle and high schools through participation in debate-based educational activities. Through debate, students become engaged learners, critical thinkers and citizens and leaders who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities. Through our “5 C’s” debate programming of Competitive debate, Curricular debate, Community debate , and College and Career readiness, BUDL prepares our young people for success in school and beyond and builds tomorrow’s citizen leaders. BUDL is determined to make debate and its related academic and social benefits available to all students in Baltimore’s public schools. As a result, the entire community of Baltimore City is in a position to benefit from the academic success of its public school youth.

Through the Baltimore Urban Debate League students from under served urban schools-even those who are not top academic performers-can participate in competitive debate, and reap all of the accompanying intellectual and social benefits.

Teachers and administrators love debate because it:

Enhances literacy skills
Motivates students with a competitive format
Provides opportunities for student-led learning
Gives students exposure to post-secondary education and scholarships
Enriches the in-school and after-school academic programming of the high school

Debate gives students the leg up by:

Increasing critical and analytical thinking skills
Promoting written and oral communication skills
Sharpening research and computer skills
Improving confidence in public speaking
Teaching students to present their views effectively and resolve conflict with their intellect rather than with physical aggression
Providing scholarship opportunities to attend four-year colleges and universities

The Debate Format

The Baltimore Urban Debate League employs the team policy debate format.

In policy debate, students formulate specific solutions to a policy problem of national importance. Teams of two students debate the national high school topic with each tournament. Students conduct research and prepare extensively prior to tournaments, where judges render decision based on the evidence presented and the quality of argumentation. Teams argue both the affirmative and negative sides fo the same topic and must be prepared to address and refute the opposing side's evidence.

Program Components

Summer Institute scholarships at Towson University and other national institutes
Eight tournaments with trophies during school year
Professional development workshops
Regional, national, and international opportunities to compete
Promotion of debate in Baltimore, including mentoring at middle school debate programs and public demonstration debates