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Academic Sports Competition
NAL Resources
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Unfolding the Future of America's Children
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The National Academic League® motivates and recognizes academic athletes much like their athletic peers. By successfully combining the important aspects of team sports -- such as competitiveness, strategy, teamwork and cooperation in a group effort -- with important aspects of learning -- such as problem solving, critical thinking and scholarship -- the NAL® generates the same popular enthusiasm and pride as do sports teams. It's cool to be smart!
Making role models of young scholars has a tremendous peer-group effect that is positive throughout the schools. NAL® students gain essential skills and experiences that they carry with them all through their lives. NAL® games promote educational soundness. Students learn how to learn and by extension how to work and become successful, productive adults. All levels of students can compete. Participating students are honored for their scholarly endeavors with trophies, medals, and recognition as well as peer and community attention. By each season's end, each league has determined a champion school that participates in the National Tournament conducted through video conferencing NAL® -
The History
The NAL® was founded by Drs. Terrel H. Bell and Donna L. Elmquist. Donna Elmquist, Ph.D. is President of Terrel H. Bell and Associates, and is an educational author and researcher and public school and university educator. Dr. Bell served as the U.S. education leader under three presidents. When serving as U.S. Secretary of Education in the Reagan Administration, Dr. Bell commissioned the report A Nation At Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform that launched the school reform movement. In their book How to Shape Up Our Nation's Schools, Drs. Bell and Elmquist first described the concept of building a network of academically competitive leagues to rival interscholastic athletic competitions. In 1991, they launched the pilot program in Salt Lake City, Utah to bring substance to their vision. Since 1991, Mareesa M. Elmquist, Esq. has also played an instrumental role in developing and implementing the NAL® program. As we look back, we take great pride in the legacy we have built to motivate and recognize academic athletes across the nation. This year's regular season begins in October and continues until March. Across the nation, schools will be competing with one another to determine the champion school of their league. (League Directory) The champion school competes with other league champions in the National Championship tournament that begins in March and continues through April. This exciting single elimination tournament that is played using distance-learning facilities will result in a NAL® champion team. |
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