Description: In 2007, the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance was formed to bring competitive policy debate programming to Dallas ISD. At that time, there was virtually no such programming available to public high school students in the district. With support from the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues, several former debaters in the Dallas community joined together to partner with DISD in this endeavor. Fast forward to today: Dallas Urban Debate works with over 1,000 students from 31 high schools and 19 middle schools in DISD every year. These students learn to conduct in-depth research and then prepare arguments on complex topics involving federal governmental policies. They put their arguments to the test at weekend debate tournaments, in which teams of two debaters argue against their peers. The debate tournaments culminate in a citywide championship and qualification for the national tournament held in the spring by the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues.