Debate

Debates: Education in the United States (150 points)

As we are viewing in the film "Waiting for 'Superman'", the American education system is facing a number of issues that threaten its ability to succeed in preparing the next generation of adults. In this assignment, you and a partner will form a debate team that will attempt to convince the audience that your view of a current controversy is the correct view. You will have all of tomorrow, and all of 1/11 to martial your arguments for your side. Debates will begin 1/14/2012. The format will be as follows:

Opening statement in favor of the motion

Opening Statement against the motion

1st argument for the motion

1st argument against the motion

2nd argument for the motion

2nd argument against the motion

Note in one debate only it will include:

3rd Argument for the motion

3rd Argument against the motion

Closing statement in favor

Closing statement against

Each partner will orally present two of the parts. At the end of the debate the audience will decide the winner, and the reasoning.

Partners will be chosen by lot. Choosing topics will be based on blackjack.

Your partnership will choose to argue either for/against the following.

1. Resolved: Excepting the mentally handicapped, all children are capable of college.

2. Resolved: Public School Teachers should be allowed to have a union.

3. Resolved: Tenure should be abolished below the college level of education.

4. Resolved: Parents should be able to choose which public school the child attends, regardless of where they live.

5. Resolved: The United States should create an examination that determines whether a child shall be entered into a college preparatory high-school.

6. Resolved: Interscholastic athletics should be removed from the high schools.

7. Resolved: Teachers should be paid on merit, not experience

8. Resolved: School should be year-round.

9. Resolved: Private schools should be abolished.

10. Resolved: Public Schools should be abolished.

11. Resolved: College is worth the investment

12. The American education system is adequately preparing its students for the future.

13. Resolved: Technology is improving education.

Point Assessment:

Opening Statement: 25 points

Closing Statement: 25 points

Each argument is worth 40 points

Ability to counter opposition: 20 points

Extra Credit will be available. I will explain later.