The Atlanta Urban Debate League, an AHA partner, is currently serving twenty-three schools in the Atlanta area with programs such as an afterschool program, the Debate Center, and monthly tournaments.
Atlanta Urban Debate League participants have showed an improvement in school performance and in the development of life skills after joining debate activities. Here are a few examples of the benefits of debate:
- After one year in debate, 83% of students with recorded disciplinary incidents reduced their number of incidents.
- After one year in debate, 81% of students suspended the previous year reduced their number of suspensions.
- Compared to national norms for annual progress, students in debate showed on average an increase of a year and a half improvement in reading levels.
- Students develop leadership qualities through debate training.