debate topics for middle school students

2002-2003 Topics:
Inland Valley Debate League Cellular phones should be allowed in schools.
The United States should significantly increase space exploration.
Television is a bad influence.
The United States should invade Iraq.
The United States should lower the voting age.
Torture is justified for national security.
Junk food should be banned in schools.
State lotteries should be ended.School should be year-round.
The United States should eliminate its own weapons of mass destruction.
Peer pressure is more beneficial than harmful.
Schools should not use standardized testing.
Human cloning should be permitted in the United States.
The United States should ban the death penalty.
Schools should not support competitive interscholastic sports.
Schools should ban animal dissection.
California should eliminate its "three strikes" law.
Homeland security is more important than protection of civil liberties.
School attendance should be voluntary.Violent video games should be banned.
The U.S. should have a draft for military service.
California should raise the minimum driving age to 18.The United States should ratify the Kyoto accord.
Parents should not purchase war toys for their children.
The Supreme Court should end affirmative action in higher education.
There should be mandatory drug testing for participation in extracurricular activities.
The U.S. invasion of Iraq has done more harm than good.

2003-2004 Topics:
Inland Valley Debate LeagueCalifornia should substantially increase the minimum wage.
The United States is losing the War on Terror.
Parents should be punished for their childrens' mistakes.
The United States should pay reparations for slavery.
Middle schools should allow outside food vendors for lunch.
The United States should ban the death penalty.
College athletes should be paid.


Consumers should not purchase SUVs.
American involvement in Iraq has done more good than harm.
The United States should adopt a new timber policy.
Saudi Arabia is more an enemy than an ally to the United States.
Violent video games should be banned.
The United States should adopt English as the official national language.
Middle schools should increase required classes and reduce electives.
The United States should open federal lands and offshore areas for oil drilling.
Beauty pageants do more good than harm.
California should issue drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants.
Cigarettes should be illegal.Bush's plan for space exploration will do more good than harm.
High school students should have to pass a national exit exam to graduate.
George W. Bush should be re-elected.
NAFTA should be extended throughout the Americas.
Ban boxing!All middle schools should require student uniforms.
The No Child Left Behind Act has done more good than harm.
Television is a bad influence.

2004-2005 Topics:
Independent Schools Debate LeagueBeauty pageants do more harm than good.
The Constitution should be amended to follow foreign born citizens to serve as President of the United States.


Schools should end the practice of giving awards.
The United States should expand its use of nuclear power.
Homeland security is more important than the protection of civil liberties.
Violent video games should be banned.
It is unethical to eat meat.
Junior high and high schools should randomly test their athletes for drug use.
James Hahn should be reelected mayor of Los Angeles.
Physician-assisted suicide should be legalized.
The United States should sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
American intervention in Iraq has done more good than harm.
Governor Schwarzenegger has been good for California.
Congress should pass the "Clear Skies" initiative.
Homework should be banned.
California should raise the driving age to 18.
The legal system should have the option to charge juveniles as adults in murder cases.
Schools should ban animal dissection.
The US government should not allow drilling for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.
Middle schools should require students to wear uniforms.
California should ban drivers' use of cellular phones in cars.

2004-2005 Topics:
Inland Valley Debate LeagueMiddle schools should have student lockers.
The United States should amend the Constitution to allow foreign-born citizens to serve as President.
The United States should have a draft for military service.
California high schools should substantially expand vocational training.
Teachers should not use candy as rewards.
George W. Bush should be re-elected.Rap music does more harm than good.
Californians should vote for Proposition 68.
The assault weapon ban should be extended.
Supreme Court proceedings should be televised.
Public funds should not be used for professional sports stadiums.
On balance, children's television does more good than harm.
California should ban drivers' use of cellular phones in cars.
United States military forces should intervene in the Sudan.
Stem cell research should be expanded.
The United States should substantially increase its use of nuclear power.
Fast food restaurants do more harm than good.
Schools should provide for single sex instruction.
American intervention in Iraq has done more good than harm.
Governor Schwarzenegger has been good for California.
Congress should pass the "Clear Skies" initiative.
Homework should be banned.
California should raise the driving age to 18.
The legal system should have the option to charge juveniles as adults in murder cases.
Celebrities should not be role models.

2005-2006 Topics:
District of Columbia Debate LeagueCellular phones should be allowed in schools.
Celebrities should not be role models.Rap music does more harm than good.
Middle grades should require students to wear uniforms.
Junk food should be banned in schools.
The federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina was appropriate.
The United States is losing the war on Terror.Schools should eliminate letter grades.
The United States Federal Government should ban production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The number of charter schools in the DC metro area should be increased.
The District of Columbia Curfew law(The Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 (DC Code 6-2181)) does more harm than good.
Human cloning should be allowed in the United States.
Professional athletes should be role models.
Asian Oyster seeding in the Chesapeake Bay should be banned.
Gentrification does more harm than good.
Professional athletes should not be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games.
Animal performances should be banned in circuses.
Advertisements around schools should be banned.
Spanish should be a mandatory course in public schools.
The District of Columbia should become a US state.
The electoral college should be abolished.PE should be compulsory in school.

2005-2006 Topics:
Independent Schools Debate LeagueAll students should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
The U.S. should not send humans into space.
The United Nations has failed at its mission.
Cell phones should be allowed in schools.
K-12 schools should ban junk food sales.
Medical testing on animals does more good than harm.
The United States should ban the death penalty.Warrantless wiretaps make America safer.
Pakistan is more an enemy than an ally of the United States.On balance, video games do more good than harm.
Algebra should not be required for high school graduation.
Wal-Mart is good for America.
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima was justified.2005-2006 Topics: Inland Valley Debate LeagueCell phones should be allowed in middle schools.
Iran should be allowed to develop nuclear energy.
Californians should approve Prop 74.
The United States should close its Guantanamo prison.
Middle schools should have mandatory drug testing for participation in extracurricular activities.
School vouchers should be allowed.
Cigarettes should be banned.
Credit cards do more harm than good.
The U S Government subsidy of the arts should end.
Corporal punishment of children should be illegal.
The NBA player dress code is justified.
The District of Columbia should become the 51st state.Parents should not purchase war toys for their children.
California should legalize physician-assisted suicide.
The United States should withdraw from Iraq.
Warrantless wiretaps in America do more harm than good.
The US Federal Government should significantly increase taxes on gasoline.
Released felons should have voting rights.
The focus on standards-based education in public middle schools does more good than harm.
Schools should ban junk food.
Pakistan is more an enemy than an ally of the United States.
On balance, video games do more good than harm.
Algebra should not be required for high school graduation.
Wal-Mart is good for America.The atomic bombing of Hiroshima was justified.

2005-2006 Topics:
Desert Valleys Debate LeagueThe federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina was appropriate.
Food aid does more harm than good.
Cell phones should be allowed in schools.
Californians should vote for Prop. 74.
All students should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
The US should eliminate farm subsidies.
Zoos do more harm than good.
Soccer players should wear helmets.
The US military should leave Iraq.
Fried foods should have warning labels.
California's Class Size Reduction (CSR) program should be extended to middle schools.
The NBA player dress code is justified.
The District of Columbia should become the 51st state.
Parents should not purchase war toys for their children.
California should legalize physician-assisted suicide.
Warrantless wiretaps make America safer.The United States should negotiate with Osama Bin LadenStudents should take parenting classes.
Students should be punished for failing to report cheating.
Schools should ban junk food.
Pakistan is more an enemy than an ally of the United States.
On balance, video games do more good than harm.Algebra should not be required for high school graduation.
Wal-Mart is good for America.The atomic bombing of Hiroshima was justified.

2005-2006 Topics:
Big Apple Debate LeagueTelevision is a bad influence.
Cell phones shold be allowed in schools.U.S. intervention in Iraq has done more good than harm.
The United States should ban the death penalty.
The NBA player dress code is justified.

2006-2007 Topics:
District of Columbia Debate LeagueThe US prison at Guantanamo Bay should be closed.
All schools should provide students with music and art education.
District of Columbia should make it mandatory for its citizens to vote in elections.
Fast food restaurants do more harm than good.
Nontraditional English should be acknowledged in academia.
All DC Charter schools should be placed under the authority of the superintendent.
College athletes should be compensated.
The Bush administration guest worker program should be implemented.
Adult-oriented cartoons should only be broadcast on television after 10PM.
DC area public schools should have single sex classrooms.
Cigarettes should be illegal in the US.
Puerto Rico should be a state.MySpace.com should not allow users under 18.
Juveniles should be tried as adults for felonies.
The US government should allow oil exploration in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
The French government should permit students to wear visible religious symbols in state schools.
2006-2007 Topics:
Desert Valleys Debate LeagueRe-elect Governor Schwarzenegger.
Californians should approve Proposition 87.
Cell phones should be allowed in schools.
Businesses should not place advertisements in schools.It is unethical to eat meat.
Parents should not purchase war toys for their children.
The No Child Left Behind Act has done more good than harm.Middle schools should require students to wear uniforms.
The United States military should immediately withdraw from Iraq.
Fossil fuels are easily replaced.
Hugo Chavez is not a friend to the United States.
Community service should be mandatory in high school.
The movie rating system is ineffective.
The US should proceed with oil and gas development on the Arctic Coastal Plain (ANWR).
The Internet has done more harm than good.
Human cloning should be permitted in the United States.
Parental spanking of children should be a crime.
New York Senator Hillary Clinton should be elected President of the United States in 2008.
On balance, nuclear energy does more good than harm.
Students should be allowed to chew gum in school.
The United States should significantly expand its use of nuclear power.
It is better to be a follower than a leader.
Genghis Khan did more good than harm.Schools should ban animal dissection.
The United States should amend the constitution to criminalize flag burning.
Homework does more good than harm.
Boycott the Beijing Olympics.
The United States should switch to the metric system.
2006-2007 Topics: Big Apple Debate LeagueFor adolescents, television is a better teacher than books.
George Bush is good for America.
In the case of student lockers, school safety is more important than student privacy.
Single sex schools are better for students than co-ed schools in grades K-12.New York Senator Hillary Clinton should be elected President of the United States in 2008.
Cigarettes made from tobacco should be illegal.US troops and its allies should withdraw their forces from Iraq immediately.War toys are good for children.
There should be year-round schooling for students in grades K-12.
Repeal the trans fat ban in New York City.
Capital punishment should be banned by the United States federal government.The U.S. troop surge in Iraq is desirable.
There should be mandatory drug testing for all high school athletes in the U.S.Lower the legal drinking age in the U.S. to 18.
It is morally acceptable to experiment on animals for medical purposes.
The United States should switch to the metric system.Colleges' early admissions policies do more harm than good.Schools in the United States should ban animal dissection.

2006-2007 Topics:
Inland Valley Debate LeagueRe-elect Governor Schwarzenegger.
Californians should approve Proposition 87.Cell phones should be allowed in middle schools.
College athletes should be paid.
SAT/ACT prep classes do more harm than good.
Repeal the Military Commissions Act.
All Middle schools should institute school uniform policies.
California should abolish the death penalty.
Junk food should be banned from school cafeterias and vending machines.
The President of the United States should be elected by the direct vote of the people.
The U.S. should sign the Kyoto Accord (Protocol)Peer pressure does more good than harm.All Americans should be required to provide 1 year of national service.
The U. S. should end the embargo on Cuba.
Parents should not buy war toys for their children.
The United States should significantly expand its use of nuclear power.
It is better to be a follower than a leader.
Genghis Khan did more good than harm.
Schools should ban animal dissection.
The United States should amend the constitution to criminalize flag burning.
Homework does more good than harm.
Boycott the Beijing Olympics.
The United States should switch to the metric system.

2006-2007 Topics:
Independent Schools Debate LeagueDrug companies should not be allowed to advertise prescription drugs to the general public.L.A. County should ban all transfats in restaurants.
Animals should not be used for entertainment.
The United States should eliminate its own weapons of mass destruction.
Colleges' early admissions policies do more harm that good.
The electoral college should be abolished.
All Americans should be required to provide one year of national service.
The United States should end the embargo on Cuba.
The United States should adopt President Bush's proposed guest worker program.
The United States Constitution should be amended to establish a mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices.
Teachers should not use candy as rewards.
Beauty pageants do more good than harm.
The United States should significantly expand its use of nuclear power.
It is better to be a follower than a leader.
Genghis Khan did more good than harm.
Schools should ban animal dissection.
The United States should amend the constitution to criminalize flag burning.
Homework does more good than harm.
Boycott the Beijing Olympics.
The United States should switch to the metric system.

2006-2007 Topics:
East Bay Debate LeagueThe United States should withdraw its military from Iraq.
Students should be able to have cell phones at school.
California should abolish the death penalty.Television is a bad influence.
The No Child Left Behind Act does more harm than goodTeachers should not be allowed to give candy as rewardsHomework should be bannedThe United States government should provide free healthcare for all U.S. citizens.
On average, zoos do more good than harm.
Single-sex education is better than co-ed.
Wal-Mart is good for America.
California's electoral vote allocation should remain winner take all.
John McCain is the best choice for Commander in Chief.
On balance, special interests are a positive influence in American politics.
The public’s right to know is more important than the privacy of celebrities.
Students should be required to learn a second language for high school graduation.

2007-2008 Topics:
Independent Schools Debate LeagueCalifornia should raise the driving age to 18.
The U.N. should impose sanctions on Myanmar/Burma.
California should legalize physicial-assisted suicide.
Junk food should be banned from school cafeterias and vending machines.
Zoos do more good than harm.
Single-sex education is better than co-ed.
Wal-Mart is good for America.Homeland security is more important than the protection of civil liberties.
US military involvement in Iraq has done more good than harm.
Television is a bad influence.It is unethical to buy an SUV.
College football should be exempted from Title IX requirements.
The American presidential primary and caucus system does more good than harm.

2007-2008 Topics:
Desert Valleys Debate LeagueCalifornia should ban drivers' use of cellular phones in cars.
Water rates should be the same price for farmers and residential customers.Size zero fashion models should be banned.
The United Nations Security Council should have no permanent members.Schools should provide for single sex instruction.
Torture is justified for national security.
Schools should be year round.
On balance, George W. Bush has done more good than harm.
Middle schools should not have promotion ceremonies.
Desert area residents should be required to use desert landscaping.
American military involvement in Iraq has done more good than harm.
The president of the United States should be elected by popular vote.
The Amero should adopted.Private swimming pools are unethical.
Extra-terrestrial intelligence exists.
John McCain is the best choice for Commander in Chief.
The United States should end its use of the penny.On balance, special interests are a positive influence in American politics.
The public's right to know is more important than the privacy of celebrities.
The United States should guarantee health care for its residents.
Students should be required to learn a second language for high school graduation.

2007-2008 Topics:
District of Columbia Debate LeagueAll DC public middle schools should have student-run disciplinary courts.
The late-night Metrorail service is a failed transportation experiment.
The DC government should provide free wireless internet access.
The United States should ban the importation of all products from China.
All DC public high schools should have childcare facilities for their students on site.
DC should keep its taxi zone fare system.
The United States should launch a preemptive strike against Iran.
Giving money to panhandlers is justified.
The DCPS funds spent to renovate athletic fields in the summer of 2007 did more good than harm.
All DC public schools should adopt a teacher performance bonus program.
Michael Vick's punishment is too severe.
The United States should withdraw all its troops from Iraq by December 31, 2008.John McCain is the best choice for Commander in Chief.
The United States should end its use of the penny.
On balance, special interests are a positive influence in American politics.
The public's right to know is more important than the privacy of celebrities.
The United States should guarantee health care for its residents.Students should be required to learn a second language for high school graduation.

2007-2008 Topics:
Inland Valley Debate LeagueSeptember 11 should be made a national holiday.
The U.S. should take military actions against Iran.
Parents should be held legally responsible for their children's actions.
Celebrities should not be role modelsLetter grades in schools do more harm than good.
Term limits for state legislators should be eliminated.
The driving age in California should be raised to 18.
Television does more harm than good.
Washington D. C should be made the 51st stateHome schooling does more good than harm.John McCain is the best choice for Commander in Chief.
The United States should end its use of the penny.
On balance, special interests are a positive influence in American politics.
The public's right to know is more important than the privacy of celebrities.
The United States should guarantee health care for its residents.Students should be required to learn a second language for high school graduation.

2007-2008 Topics:
Big Apple Debate LeaguePhysical education in grades K-12 should be compulsory.
Ban plastic bags in grocery stores.
Americans should not be allowed to burn the United States flag as an act of free speech.
It should be illegal to sell coffee and coffee products to minors anywhere in the United States.
Organ donation should be compulsory for all United States citizens.
Voting rights of United States felons should be reinstated after they have served their time.
John McCain is the best choice for Commander in Chief.
The United States should end its use of the penny.
On balance, special interests are a positive influence in American politics.
The public's right to know is more important than the privacy of celebrities.
The United States should guarantee health care for its residents.Students should be required to learn a second language for high school graduation.