Course Description

Competitive Policy Debate is a co-curricular activity.  Students will participate in class during the school day and in practices and competitions after school and on the weekends.  Students will compete in pairs against teams from other schools in front of judges.  Most competitions are on Saturdays.  There are some two-day tournaments that are Friday-Saturday, and one or two that are three-day or more. The Debate season is from September through January, culminating in State Championships. In December, we will attempt to qualify for NSDA Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona , June 11-16, 2023. 

Each year, debate coaches vote for the topic for the upcoming year. This topic is called a Resolution. This year’s resolution is:

• • Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.

Benefits of Policy Debate:

• Confidence – Belief in themselves and their abilities, and the desire to participate in all classes.

• Curiosity – The passion of discovery through effective tools for research, organization, and presentation.

• Critical Thinking – How to explore the world through the lens of an inquisitive mind.

• Communication – Oral & written skills and strategies for lively yet respectful discussions & disagreements.

• Control – Eliminate the fear of public speaking.

• Creativity – The desire to explore, create and invent.

• Camaraderie – Meet like-minded peers at tournaments and build healthy bonds of competition.

• Leadership – Self-motivation and the ability to delegate assignments and manage peers.

• Develop excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Develop excellent critical thinking skills.

• Develop effective tools for research, organization, and presentation.

• Develop strategies to overcome the fear of public speaking.

• Discover the confidence and desire to participate in all academic classes