Comments on: High school debate catching fire in Oakland http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/2009/05/18/high-school-debate-catching-fire-in-oakland/ Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools Thu, 23 May 2013 04:40:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Donna http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/2009/05/18/high-school-debate-catching-fire-in-oakland/comment-page-1/#comment-20776 Donna Wed, 20 May 2009 17:03:06 +0000 http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/?p=4996#comment-20776 Oakland Tech participated in Mock Trial (sponsored by Alameda County Office of Education) earlier this school year, so the intensity of that undertaking was probably a factor in not joining the Urban Debate League. One of Tech’s freshman participants scored exceptionally well, so she will be the powerhouse to watch if she should decide to pursue this further.

]]> By: Lisa Shafer http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/2009/05/18/high-school-debate-catching-fire-in-oakland/comment-page-1/#comment-20775 Lisa Shafer Tue, 19 May 2009 13:46:00 +0000 http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/?p=4996#comment-20775 Thanks for writing about debate! I watched my own students — and students from the other nine schools –grow so much in so many ways in the league’s first year. The City Champs last weekend cemented in my mind that this is a program worth touting!

The frequent Education Report commenters who find so much fault with OUSD ought to make a point to watch a portion of one these tournaments next year. Those who are so good at arguing on this blog might even want to mentor teenagers in policy debate. There are definitely some great things happening in OUSD. And this is Exhibit A.

Katy,you mention that maybe the district needs more of this type of activity. I agree, but this one could easily expand to reach many more students. Parents should encourage their children to join … or their children’s school to start a team if they don’t have one yet. One of our biggest schools, Oakland Tech, did not field a team in the first year. It would be great to see students there participate next year!

Lisa Shafer
Debate Coach
Media Academy/Fremont Federation

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