High School Debate

The Trojan Debate Squad appreciates that debate should never be taken for granted. The opportunity to experience debate requires a great deal of support from many different individuals. The Debate Squad has launched the USC Neighborhood Debate League as a service program that is the direct result of coordinated efforts from the Office of Civic and Community Relations, the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, and the Rossier School of Education.

Grant funding from the USC Neighborhood Outreach Program (UNO) as part of the University Good Neighbors Campaign allows the TDS to sponsor and cultivate debate in four family high schools (Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, Foshay Learning Center, 32nd Street/USC Magnet High School, and Manual Arts High School). Annenberg leads the program, providing in-kind support for the director, facilities, and supplies for training and competitions, directs the student volunteer network, and coordinates the publicity of the league. Rossier sponsors Crenshaw High School’s involvement through the Greater Crenshaw Education Project.

The TDS is a community partner of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League (LAMDL), an organization committed to extending debate programs to local high school students. USC coaches, hosts, and provides classroom, administrative, and financial support to LAUSD schools.  The combined programs have extended debate to eleven high schools. Over 200 students competed in 2010-2011, and over 175 students attended a five day debate workshop hosted by LAMDL and USC on the University Park Campus in August of 2012. TDS has played an important role in this partnership and today provides coaching, mentoring, training, and hosting for local programs.

USC family schools continue to perform well within the league and their programs are thriving. Debate, as a competitive, extracurricular activity, fosters opportunities to teach argumentation and advocacy skills both inside and outside of the classroom.

To volunteer as a coach or judge as part of this program, please contact us and choose “Volunteering to Support USC-NDL/LAMDL” in the drop down menu of the contact form.

For more information on the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League, please visit their website at http://www.lamdl.org

For more information on debate outreach projects in urban centers across the United States, please visit the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues at http://www.naudl.org

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