Boston Debate League

Boston Debate League (BDL) is a non-profit organization that supports academic policy debate teams in Boston area public middle and high schools and trains Boston Public Schools (BPS) teachers to use debate as part of their classroom practice. BDL has been bringing together an active community of students, teachers, administrators, and volunteers devoted to improving education and the life skills of youth in Boston for over ten years. BDL’s mission is to integrate argumentation and competitive debate into public schools in Boston to develop critical thinkers ready for college, career, and engagement with the world around them. The following organizational values explain who we are and how we go about fulfilling our mission and engaging with our partners and stakeholders: Power of Young People, Analytic Discourse, Diversity and Inclusion, Racial and Social Equity, and Joy in Learning.

BDL’s focus is to make a significant impact on the schools with whom it partners by implementing two core programs, each with a proven track record of success over the last several years. The After-School Debate League (ASDL) builds debate teams open to all students who have the opportunity to develop their debating skills and compete with students across the city in monthly debate tournaments. Through the Evidence-Based Argumentation (EBA) program, BDL supports all teachers in a school with professional development sessions and observations as they use debate and argumentation to transform the academic atmosphere and expectations in their classrooms. Results have consistently shown the positive impact of debate and argumentation on students and classrooms. BDL’s long-term vision is that all young people in Boston are ENGAGED in critical discourse, INFORMED by evidence, and EMPOWERED to lead.