Students enrolled in the doctoral program of Ball State's Department of Special Education will discuss their views on educational standards for disabled students in an Oxford debate at 7 p.m. tonight at the Art and Journalism Building, room 175.
Dr. Sheldon Braaten, a Meeks Distinguished Professor of Special Education for the university, will serve as moderator of the debate. Braaten has instructed the students in a doctoral seminar that has taken a closer look at policy and professional issues focused on "Psychosocial Aspects of Exceptional Individuals."
The debate is the cumulative final project of the seminar and one that will be an important determinate in the students' final grades.
"One of the assignments required of the students was to participate in this debate," Braaten said. "I believe it may be one of the first times in history that the university has granted the ability to have a required final be held in public."
The topic of resolution for this evening's debate will focus on whether or not all students, including those facing disabilities, should be required to take and pass the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) exams before they are granted a high school diploma.
Braaten explained that, in an Oxford debate, the resolution is given and then debaters are divided into two teams - one affirmative side arguing on behalf of the resolution, and another opposing the issue.
"The Oxford style dates back to 1823 when it received its beginning at Oxford Union of Oxford University," Braaten said. "It refers to a particular style or structure of the speech and the way in which it is formatted."
Students participating in the speech are randomly assigned to teams, and the side they were to represent is also determined by chance.
The order of speeches will involve a primary phase, during which the first and second propositions, followed by their oppositions, will be presented to define and present arguments on the issue. A third and fourth rebuttal phase, during which the opposition will then be followed by its proposition, will end the hour-long debate.
Students' will be judged by doctoral professors in the special education and educational psychology department, including Drs. John Merbler, Jerome Ulman and Felicia Dixon. Nina Yssel of the Department of Special Education, will serve as time keeper for the event.
Tonight's debate will be televised live on Channel 5.
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