The MSPDP was developed and piloted by educators at Claremont McKenna College. It is an 11 year old program with leagues in California, New York City, New Orleans, Washington D.C., and New Jersey. Students learn a parliamentary debate format which has been adapted and tested by educators to maximize the learning outcomes for middle school students.
Debate Teams
- Each team consists of 3 students to maximize participation and educational benefits
- Debates are dynamic public speaking events, featuring respectful interruption (points of information) and argumentative heckling. Tournaments are full-day Saturday events, with each team participating in four to five debates.
- Individual schools are usually able to bring six to eight teams to each tournament, depending on classroom availability of the host school.
- A different topic is used in each debate. This means that active debaters research and prepare arguments to support or oppose 20 or more topics each year.
- Judges are trained and certified. They are teachers, parents, former debaters, lawyers, and other members of the community.