Preface -- Improving Education and Healing America through Debate-Centered Education -- Competitive Debate as a Model for Education Reform: Virtues and Limits -- Beyond Competition: Debate-Centered Instruction for All -- Debate-Centered Instruction Can Help Revitalize Our Democracy -- Debating Skills Are Not Just for Future Lawyers -- Objections and Challenges to Debate-Centered Instruction -- A Political Roadmap for a Debate-Centered Educational Revolution -- Notes -- Index.
Summary:
"In this era of extreme political polarization, it's tempting to believe nothing can be done to heal a nation that is so obviously divided and led by dysfunctional politicians. But there is a relatively simple and powerful way to begin the healing, and at the same time prepare the next generations of leaders for the rigorous demands of a constantly changing economy and society. The solution offered by this intriguing book is for schools across the country to focus on developing in students the skills of successful debating. These are the skills-so clearly lacking in contemporary society-of listening and persuading, through civil discourse backed by fact-based evidence and reason. Litan explains how one simple educational reform can help address the nation's political divide and at the same time help ensure that today's young people will actually enjoy learning, and thus will have the necessary skills to lead productive and economically rewarding lives."-- Provided by publisher
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.