"While only 50 percent of high school students in urban schools graduate, ninety percent of urban high school debaters graduate. What is more, 72 percent of high-risk secondary-school debaters graduate, versus just 43 percent of high-risk non-debaters. They also score better on ACT and SAT tests, get into better colleges, and perform better once in college. Furthermore, pupils do not need to debate forever to see results — even one or two debate experiences improves performance (though for every semester a student debates, her grades go up)." Benefits of Debate - American Debate League