High school debaters at University of Richmond summer institute sharpen skills for speech competition and the classroom
July 10, 2008
High school students from as far away as Oregon are at the University of Richmond debating federal alternative energy incentives and reparations.
They are attending the National Debate Institute, held at UR and other colleges across the country each summer, primarily to strengthen their debating skills. But Kevin Kuswa, UR's director of debate, says high school students learn more than research skills, public speaking, and debate technique and theory.
"Long term, debaters do better on the PSAT and the SAT because of the enhanced critical thinking and reading comprehension skills that are developed as a result of debate," he says. "Critical thinking is the biggest academic benefit because the ability to compare argument and judge competing claims is a hallmark of the practice of debate."
The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues reports student debaters have shown as much as a 25 percent increase in literacy scores and a 10 percent increase in grade point averages. Preparing for debate tournaments requires students to build computer skills, develop flexibility in viewpoint and gain confidence. Some 75 percent of high school debaters go on to attend four-year colleges.
Several participants in UR's institute are members of urban debate leagues.
During this year's University of Richmond institute, teams of two students will argue for and against federal alternative energy incentives for individuals and corporations, and they also will debate one-on-one for or against reparations for minorities.
The rigorous, three-week program requires students to put in 10-hour days, six days a week, researching topics and competing in practice debates. A mock tournament is held at the end of each week.
"The advantage of our program is we have smaller groups, a low student-to-staff ratio and scholarships," Kuswa said. "Between 10 and 20 percent of our revenue is given back to the students in financial aid to cover the cost of participation."