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Speech and Debate Equip the Students of Today to Become the Leaders and World Changers of Tomorrow.
Who We Are
The J.W. Patterson Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing need-based scholarships and merit-based fellowships in speech, debate, and leadership to high school and college students who would otherwise be excluded due to financial constraints.
Its 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, and that all students should have the opportunity to participate in speech and debate regardless of their financial circumstances.
Speech and Debate Skills Are Foundational Life Skills
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 providing access to students who would otherwise not be able to participate.
Research Has 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
"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
It Is Not Just Important but Essential That All Students Have Access to Speech and Debate
The J.W. Patterson Foundation, Inc. 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. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Federal ID #461014263
2901 Richmond Road, Suite 140-108
Lexington, Kentucky 40509-1596
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