Our Programs
The Baltimore Urban Debate League changes the academic trajectories for students in Baltimore City schools through debate based education during the school day, during after-school hours and during out-of-school time. Our comprehensive year-round programs are divided into Curricular, Competitive and Community programs, the "3 C's of Debate."
Curricular Debate
BUDL's expert program staff brings debate into the schools using intensive professional development, training and follow-up support to more than 100 teacher-coaches, 1,000 students and 60 school administrators through the following programs:
- Debate Across the Curriculum
BUDL's Debate Across the Curriculum program trains and enables teachers to model quality debate-based instruction in the non debate classroom. Teachers across disciplines are trained and have worked with BUDL staff to develop curriculum for their history, science, language and even math classrooms which help them to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for students where young people own the content because of their active participation in all steps of the learning process. BUDL's partnership with BCPSS supports BUDL's curriculum development efforts and staff training time with teachers to support them in developing these interactive teaching skills. Click here to learn more.
- Summer Debate Institutes
High school and middle school students and teachers learn the format and strategy of debate and participate in team debates during four special camps/workshops over the summer: Middle School B'More Debate Camp, Towson International Debate Institute, Countdown to College and the September Season Opener workshop. In creating these camps, BUDL studied existing models and then established what works best for Baltimore City students. These camps work to prepare students for the upcoming year of competitive debate, to enable a smooth transition from middle school debate into high school debate for 9th graders, and to educate teacher-coaches on the best practices for teaching debate.
- College Access Program
Many of our students will be among the first in their families to go to college, and their participation in debate allows them to gain confidence in their ability to learn and succeed as a student and look toward a college degree. The students have the motivation and talent to succeed in college but often lack the know-how and the tools to get there. BUDL's College Access counselors provide year-round college counseling, tutoring in college essay writing, entrance tests preparation, and assistance with the financial aid application process. The signature component of the College Access Program is BUDL's Countdown to College Camp which provides rising seniors with a comprehensive tool kit for successful completion of the college admissions process.
Competitive Debate
BUDL's debaters get to put their new debate skills into action during monthly tournaments, hosted by BUDL at local partner schools. In many cases, the competitive element of debate fuels a passion for proactive learning in the students.
- After-School Competitive Policy Debate Training
Students continue their learning and skill-building in extended hours throughout the school year after-school and on the weekends. Coaches, selected from the ranks of teachers and trained by BUDL, hold 2- to 3-hour after-school practice sessions several days each week for participating students. Debaters learn research skills, argument building skills and rhetoric skills from the coaches. In addition, they learn the value of teamwork, how to win and lose with grace, problem solving skills, and respect for others with different opinions.
- Local Policy Debate Tournaments
Once a month on Saturday's throughout the school year, middle and high school debate squads from around the City come together to compete against each other at citywide debate tournaments. Attendance averages 200 to 250 participants - students hone their skills at novice, junior varsity, or varsity levels where they compete in 3 back-to -back rounds of debate and are required to debate on both sides of the resolution. The day concludes with an energetic awards ceremony, full of trophies, excitement and recognition for a job well done.
- Regional, National and International Competition and Camps
Our high school teams also participate in debate competitions sponsored by elite suburban, private and parochial schools in the Baltimore region and around the country. Our students are competitive in these circuits and have brought home top honors at national and international events. Each year our most distinguished graduating seniors have the opportunity to travel abroad and participate in an international camp and tournament in Eastern Europe.
Community Debate
The Baltimore Urban Debate League identifies partners to create community debates and libraries of youth-directed resources. Schools conduct over 50 community debates annually for the City Council, foundations, churches and parent groups addressing environmental racism, police brutality, and childhood obesity in schools. Debate fosters a pipeline of young leaders that possess the change management strategies to move communities out of poverty.
- Public Debates Program
Baltimore City debaters take their skills to the community to bring attention to critical local issues, to raise awareness of the power and wisdom of youth "voices," and to encourage young people to become agents of change through debate. Public debate venues have included appearances before the Baltimore City Council and the School Board, at open air markets, in schools and churches, and on National Public Radio. The topics for the 2007/2008 season are: HIV awareness with a focus on education and prevention, childhood obesity, teen pregnancy and youth violence with a focus on drawing attention to the havoc and misery that increased gang activity and senseless violence have on the lives of young people. Click here to learn more.
- Apprenticeship Program
Through a new Apprenticeship Program (launched in the 2006/2007 school year), senior debaters apply to be apprentices placed in participating middle schools. They are instructed and mentored by BUDL staff and alumni coordinators with the primary focus on developing their skills teaching debate and motivating middle school coaches, students and their teams. Apprentices attend weekly middle school debate practices and monthly tournaments, which they will help to plan, promote and implement. Through this program, high school seniors develop a sense of personal and professional responsibility while furthering BUDL's mission of engaging all of Baltimore City's public students in the long-term benefits of education. Additionally, BUDL apprentices are paid an hourly wage by BUDL. This illustrates the organization's deep investment and commitment to its students and its mission.
