Buffalo Public Schools

Department of Social Studies

Debate Program

2009 - 2010

Rationale

Debating has long been a vital part of American education. Training in debate improves valuable analytical and speaking skills, and enables the discussion of important issues, whether scientific, historical, or political.  It contributes to the intellectual and ethical development of its participants by challenging them to make defensible judgments in which they must critically investigate complex issues, question given assumptions, evaluate the reliability of data and consider alternative perspectives.  Debate stimulates and refines communication skills that empower individuals to speak for themselves, to discover and use their own voices.

Resolution I:  “Let it be resolved that school uniform policies do not violate students' rights of expression under the 1st Amendment."

Dates:

1^st Debate October 23, 2009

2^nd Debate December 18, 2009

Resolution II:  –  TBA

Dates:

3^rd Debate February 19, 2010

4^th Debate April 16, 2010

Partcipating Schools:

1. BAVPA            
2. Bennett              
3. City Honors                
4. Da Vinci                      
5. East                            
6. Emerson                      
7. Grover                       
8. Hutch Tech                 
9. Lafayette                   
10. McKinley                  
11. Middle College         
12. MST                        
13. Riverside                 
14. South Park