The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues is the national leader of the urban debate movement, NAUDL works with its partner leagues to provide debate programming to urban middle and high school students. In 2012, NAUDL and its leagues served 6,158 urban debaters from 347 public schools in 19 cities across the United States. Seventy-six percent are from low-income families and 86% are students of color. But, they are not always the highest achievers in their schools. Before they discovered debate, many struggled in school, with below average grades, poor attendance, or a history of disciplinary infractions. For these students,urban debate is life-changing.