ABOUT THE DEBATE LEAGUE
The Philadelphia Scholastic Debate League (PSDL) consists of 20 high school teams that compete in weekly debates at Central High School, October through December. Students learn policy debate, using the Public Forum format, debating monthly national topics. The league's season culminates in December with a final tournament and awards ceremony at Central High School. ASAP also encourages PSDL teams to pursue additional debate opportunities throughout the year on the local, state, and national levels. All PSDL teams are led by faculty coaches, usually teachers; however ASAP also recruits experienced volunteers to provide 'in-class' support to coaches or serve as judges at PSDL tournaments. This year ASAP is also partnering with Perspectives, a local organization that advocates for increasing debate opportunities for Philadelphia Youth. Together ASAP and Perspectives are working to increase PSDL participation, provide experienced volunteers to assist coaches during debate team meetings, and involve Philly students in debate related activities throughout the entire academic year. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our online form.
WHY DEBATE?
Research shows that debate offers young people an opportunity to develop and excel in oral presentation, research, writing, strategic thinking, and sportsmanship and because of these benefits, college admissions officers value participation in debate programs. According to the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues, students participating in debate for only one year experienced a 44% improvement in critical thinking skills. In addition, teachers reported a 50% reduction in the number of disciplinary referrals for students involved in debate clubs.
IMPACT & REACH
ASAP coordinates the Philadelphia Scholastic Debate League among Philadelphia public and charter high schools. With a generous grant from Lance Funston of the Save A Mind Foundation and through aggressive outreach and recruitment, ASAP has expanded the League from six high schools to twenty, with a diverse group of student participants from different backgrounds and neighborhoods across the city.
ASAP now operates a middle school debate league. Teams will have the opportunity to compete in at least two tournaments per semester and ASAP will provide coach training, transportation, debate materials and a volunteer assistant coach (depending on availability). Interested middle school teachers or administrators should contact Meg Hess-
Homeier at 215-545-2727 x 10.
SCHEDULE & RESULTS
2011/12 League Schedule
This year, the Philadelphia Scholastic League will host exciting new events including middle school tournaments and spring debate rounds.
View the 2011/12 League Calendar of Events. Please note that ASAP has changed the date of the new coach training to Thursday, September 22nd.
2011 Philadelphia Scholastic Debate League Results
CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
- George Washington A team, Raisa Masud and Sam Shanazarov
- Masterman A team, Melanie Millwood and Maia Reumann-Moore
- Constitution A team, Deion Jordan and Kayla McCoy
INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER CHALLENGES
- Desislava Gergishanova, George Washington
- Raisa Masud, George Washington
- Maia Reumann-Moore, Masterman
- Jeff Kessler, Science Leadership Academy
SCHOOL SWEEPSTAKES
- Masterman
- Central
- George Washington
FINALS 12/14/11:
Team Standings
Individual Debater Standings
School-Sweepstakes Standings
DEBATE FUNDERS
- Samuel S. Fels Fund
- Harrison Foundation
- Henrietta Tower Wurts
- Penn For Youth Debate
- Save A Mind Foundation
- University of Pennsylvania