Our Impact
110+
Dallas ISD Schools
1750+
Student Participants
25+
Debate Events
What We Do
Partner with Dallas ISD
A thriving partnership begun in 2007-08 now serves nearly 1800 students, 150 coaches, and over 110 schools across the district. From its start, DUDA has been committed to empowering young voices, building critical thinkers, and creating opportunities for every student to lead and succeed.
Expand Access to Debate
Through debate, students not only improve their academic performance but also develop the confidence, leadership, and advocacy skills that prepare them for success in college, career, and civic life.
Turn Potential Into Opportunity
As part of DUDA, students step into a historic debate tradition that not only amplifies their voices but also connects them to life-changing scholarships, internships, and mentorships—pathways that turn potential into opportunity.
Why Debate?
Debate goes far beyond public speaking—it drives measurable academic success. Students in urban debate leagues are more than three times as likely to graduate from high school, more likely to do so on time, and demonstrate stronger college readiness. They consistently outperform their peers on every section of the ACT—especially in English and reading—and maintain higher GPAs, averaging 3.23 compared to 2.83 for non-debaters.
Just as importantly, debate benefits students of all academic levels. It builds essential 21st-century skills: communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and civic engagement. The fast-paced, interdisciplinary nature of debate sharpens research, problem-solving, and independent learning—skills that prepare students not only for college, but for long-term success in professions ranging from law and education to business, public service, and medicine.
