Florida’s ‘Great Debate’ student participation triples since governor launched initiative

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Since Gov. Ron DeSantis launched the Florida Civics and Debate initiative in 2019, participation has tripled with more than 400 students competing in this year’s competition, the governor’s office announced.

“Congratulations to this year’s contest winners and thank you to the more than 400 students from across the country who came to Florida to participate in The Great Debate,” DeSantis said.

Over the weekend, 420 students from around the country participated in The Great Debate: Florida’s National Civics and Debate Competition, an initiative launched by the governor in 2019 to encourage student participation in debate and enhance civic knowledge.

“The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative teaches students civics education, which is important to ensure future generations understand our nation’s core values,” DeSantis said.

The Great Debate is a tournament that tests students’ civic knowledge and communication skills and students compete to be the national champion. A total of 67 winners were crowned in this year’s Great Debate competition for both middle school and high school divisions.

Judges scored the students on congressional debate, impromptu speaking and extemporaneous debate. Winners were selected for each event as well as overall winners for middle and high school.

According to the governor’s office, all 67 school districts in Florida now have a middle school or high school debate team as a part of the initiative.

​​“Florida is leading the way in civics education, and we are proud that our national hallmark event is growing exponentially along with the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative,” Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. said.

The debate initiative is a partnership between the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation.

“The Great Debate provides an opportunity for Florida to reinvigorate public debate and civil discourse while simultaneously enriching students’ understanding of the democratic values of our country,” Diaz continued.

The program’s goal is to provide middle school and high school students with civics education through curriculum support, debate opportunities and high-quality teachers. It also provides student debate camps and coaching clinics.

“The Great Debate is beginning to shape into the event that we’ve imagined from the beginning,” Board Chairman of the Florida Education Foundation Rebecca Matthews said. “We are thrilled students from all over the country came to provide our Florida students with out-of-state competitors.”