The District of Columbia Urban Debate League (DCUDL) is part of a national movement that seeks to bring the opportunities and benefits of debate to the underserved urban students of America. Specifically, the DCUDL is dedicated to expanding the opportunities for the young people of DC to develop reading, writing, and speaking skills through intellectual competition, and to become confident, articulate citizens and authentic leaders of their communities.
Debate is a real-world activity. Colleges seek students who can think critically. Businesses reward employees who can communicate effectively. Democracy requires citizens who can participate actively. Debate is training for success in our society.
To learn more about the DCUDL you may:
Watch a piece about the DCUDL by Al Jazeera English. It is a two-part video, so be sure to select “Play next related video” after Part 1. Click here.
Read about a cultural exchange involving DCUDL debaters and students from Bosnia in The Washington Post. Click here.
Listen to a piece about DCUDL students debating the No Child Left Behind Act on NPR’s Morning Edition. Click here.
Hear about debate onThe Kojo Nnamdi Show. A discussion of the DCUDL begins about 40 minutes into the interview. Click here.
The three major components of DCUDL programming are
DC Debate Institute. This intensive program introduces teachers to the skill of argumentation and the art of persuasion as well as prepares them to coach the activity. Institute participants will be supplied with everything they need to return to their schools and launch a successful debate program: curricular guides, textbooks, beginning lessons plans, training videos an more. If you are interested in learning more, contact Colin Touhey ( or 202-341-5101). Unfortunately, we will not offer a student institute as we concentrate our efforts on the support of our teacher-coaches.
Debate Tournaments. Each month from September to April, the DCUDL hosts competitions for students in its high school (grades 9 through 12) and middle school divisions (grades 6 through 8). These events are a safe environment where students engage in an educational activity while enjoying the satisfaction of healthy competition. Multiple awards are given in recognition of individual, team, and school achievement. The year of competition closes with a DCUDL League Championship in May.
Continuing Support for Teachers. In addition to offering the DC Debate Institute each summer, the DCUDL provides ongoing support for teachers who coach debate throughout the year, including assistance with classroom and public debates.
Since its inception in 2002, DCUDL has:
• Sponsored more than 85 debate tournaments with 12 planned for the 2009-2010 school year.
• Conducted 6 summer institutes at the University of the District of Columbia.
• Hosted the 2004 East Coast Regional Urban Debate Leagues Tournament, attended by more than 250 participants.
• Provided more than 95 scholarships for students to attend national and international summer debate institutes, most of whom could not have enrolled without this assistance.
• Coordinated travel to more than 25 regional and national debate tournaments with many students leaving DC for the first time.
• Managed more than 35 public debates and events, such as a Mayoral Candidates Forum for students during the summer of 2006 and a teleconference debate between students in DC and Delhi, India in September of 2007.
• Sponsored numerous workshops for students and teachers to improve debate skills and the teaching of debate.
• Coordinated bridge-to-college programming, including college tours and recruiter visits for many students who would be first generation college entrants.
• Raised more than $800,000 in support of debate and debate across the curriculum from the University of the District of Columbia, the Open Society Institute, the Fasken Foundation, the Donner Foundation, DC School Board President Peggy Cooper Cafritz, the Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, and the DC Council on the Humanities.
