Nationally Acclaimed UT Debate Program Reaches Out to Underprivileged Students

Austin, Texas — July 8, 2005 — According to some studies, an average of only one in five high school students living in inner cities across the United States can read at their appropriate grade level. Those same studies have found that involving these students in competitive debate can significantly heighten academic performance — including reading levels — and change their future.*

Contributing to this movement is a University of Texas summer debate camp right here in Austin.

Now through Aug. 3, the University of Texas National Institute of Forensics (UTNIF) program, which runs the nationally renowned debate team in the College of Communication, is hosting hundreds of high school students from across the country at its annual summer debate camp. Sixteen of those students come from inner cities and are receiving scholarships to attend UTNIF.

“The University of Texas debate camp, which attracts students of all backgrounds from across the country, offers a challenging academic environment with instruction from university professionals,” said Dr, Joel Rollins, who serves as UTNIF director and oversees the summer camp program. “Debate gives all students valuable communication skills, while focusing on issues that may be particularly relevant to students from inner city areas, such as search and seizure issues and public housing.”

One study found that participation in debate improves standardized test scores among urban debaters by 25 percent more than non-debater peers because it helps students improve their problem solving abilities, persuasive skills and work ethic. (Collier, 2004)

Another study conducted by Melissa Wade, director of forensics at Emory University, asserts that “The Urban Debate League concept replaces physical aggression with verbal mastery: If children can command attention with powerful words, they do not have to resort to physical force to grab that attention.” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Volume 51, No. 6, 1998)

“Our summer debate camp is designed to challenge students,” Rollins noted. “Most students chose to spend 13 hours a day, seven days a week, researching and preparing topics for competition.

“Students are given full access to university libraries and have the invaluable opportunity to learn from highly-trained faculty, including visiting professors from universities such as Harvard and New York University,” explained Rollins.

Rollins is determined to help students apply debate to fine-tune their communication skills and develop a more focused work ethic — all of which are fundamental to securing a higher education at institutions like The University of Texas at Austin.

Last year, The University of Texas debate team alumni and UTNIF faculty donated more than $4,000 to scholarships in support of inner-city youth. Rollins hopes to expand scholarship funding next summer.

“We’re providing scholarships for 16 students this year and hope to provide even more next year, through fundraising and grants. This is something we are truly committed to — it’s important to the community and it’s a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

About The University of Texas National Institute of Forensics

The University of Texas National Institute of Forensics (UTNIF) program, which runs the nationally renowned debate team in the College of Communication, is recognized as one of the preeminent debate programs in the country. In 2005, the UTNIF program celebrated its thirteenth consecutive year as the American Forensic Association’s National Debate Tournament/Nation Individual Events Tournament Overall Champion. For more information, visit the Debate website.

* The 2003 Trial Urban Assessment from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, as reported in School Reform News, Feb. 2004