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Students who have the opportunity to master oratory skills report that it was the most valuable experience of their academic careers.
The importance of participating in speech and debate has never been greater than it is today. Yet every year, funding gets cut and students lose out.
Research Has Continually Demonstrated the Positive Impact of Debate:
A 2021 study of Houston high school debate students from researchers at the University of Michigan concluded that students who participated in high school debate demonstrated significant improvements in academic performance as well as college readiness.
Debaters earned higher GPAs (0.66) than comparable non-debate students
Debaters scored 52 points higher on their SAT Math exams than comparable non-debate students
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Debaters scored 57 points higher on the SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing exams scores than comparable non-debate students
Debaters were 18% more likely to meet the College Board's benchmarks for college readiness than comparable non-debate students
Despite these statistics, there are many people, inside and outside the school systems, that aren't aware of the value of the activity.
Who We Are
Our mission is rooted in the belief that training in speech and debate has power to change the trajectory of a student's life by giving them the tools they need to become effective leaders and change-makers.
We believe that a debate-centered curriculum based in constructive civil discourse accelerates student success and career advancement.
Our purpose is to support the teachers, coaches, and program directors who not only promote this invaluable experience but, devote long hours and make continual personal sacrifices on behalf of their students, because they believe in the power of debate.
Speech and Debate Equip the Students of Today to Become the Leaders and World Changers of Tomorrow.
Training in speech and debate gives students real-world skills such as critical thinking, oral and written communication, and the ability to organize ideas and present them effectively.
These skills benefit students' academic performance in all subjects and translate later throughout their careers and across all professions.
Our goal is to spread these foundational life skills by both creating educational opportunities in speech and debate and supporting teachers, coaches and program directors to fund and grow their programs.
"Debate opens an intellectual awareness to students that forever changes their world view. Our goal is to provide for those who acquired a world view of problem-solving through public speaking and debate to provide an equal opportunity for future leaders."
Dr. J.W. Patterson
The J.W. Patterson Foundation, LLC, is incorporated in the State of Kentucky and is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization as described by 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal ID #461014263
J.W. Patterson Foundation, LLC
for Academic Excellence in Speech & Debate
2901 Richmond Road, Suite 140-303
Lexington, Kentucky 40509
© Copyright 2022, www.JWPattersonFoundation.org