Equity Focus Areas
Equity Focus Areas – 2026-2027
Our commitment to equity is grounded in the belief that every member of our community deserves a speech and debate environment that reflects our mission. All participants are entitled to a caring, welcoming space—one that fosters conditions of fairness, promotes inclusion, encourages participation, and safeguards against harassment and discrimination.
- We each share the responsibility to be good stewards of this activity.
- Our students deserve meaningful, constructive feedback that encourages their growth and inspires them to continue participating in speech and debate.
- Our coaches and judges deserve opportunities to strengthen their programs and advance their craft.
- Every member of our community deserves to be supported and understood.
Since 2017, the NSDA’s annual equity focus areas have outlined intentional steps to reinforce and expand our core value of equity. Through these focus areas, we commit to purposeful work today so that every voice can thrive in speech and debate tomorrow.
2025-2026 Year in Review
Community Engagement
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- Revised the NSDA’s definition of equity and Equity Statement.
- 85% of districts committed to providing a tournament resource focused on interpersonal support and/or addressing harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate conduct, such as a Belonging and Inclusion Station (BIS) or Equity Office.
- The BIS was used at the 2026 National Forensic Association (NFA) National Tournament, the 2026 National Tournament, and multiple state championship tournaments. It was also used for the first time at the 2026 National Association of Urban Debate League (NAUDL) Urban Debate National Championship.
- Revised the Belonging and Inclusion Station Development and Implementation Guide.
- The Ballot Review Committee and Belonging and Inclusion Station worked collaboratively for a third consecutive year. The Ballot Review Committee received 69 intakes, while the Belonging and Inclusion Station received a record 53 intakes.
- Read Reflections from the 2026 National Tournament.
- Awarded $109,600 through the Road to Nationals Fund, Keith West Memorial Fund, Activating Equity Award, and National Tournament Judge Grant.
- Hosted inaugural joint meetings of the Independent, Rural, and Small School Coaches Interest Groups.
- Presented the fourth annual Activating Equity Award to the Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL), which received $5,000 to further its mission of creating equitable opportunities in speech and debate. WUDL will use the award to sponsor an entire debate team at a Title I school for the academic year and debate season.
Coach Development
- Began revisions of the Community Learning Series modules, to be completed in fall 2026. This course equips speech and debate coaches with practical interpersonal communication skills to strengthen relationships, navigate conflict, and communicate more effectively with students and colleagues.
- Created the Writing Better Ballots document in collaboration with the National Tournament Ballot Review Committee (BRC).
- Began development of the Building Better Ballots resource page, to be completed in fall 2026. The page will provide judges with resources designed to help them write substantive, constructive ballots while avoiding problematic feedback.
Wellness
- The Wellness Committee introduced the Wellness Resource Page, featuring tools, insights, and support to promote wellness in speech and debate communities.
- The Wellness Committee created resources on Judge Recruitment, Building Better Tournament Days, Alternative Tournament Options, as well as a Tournament Emergency Checklist, and Emergency Preparedness Coach/Team Checklist.
- The Wellness Committee hosted its first large-group warm-ups at the National Tournament.
2026-2027 Focus Areas
Wellness
The well-being of participants remains essential to the success and sustainability of our activity. We take a holistic approach, recognizing that spiritual, emotional, social, mental, environmental, and physical dimensions of well-being all contribute to achieving our objectives.
Community Engagement
Speech and debate should nurture growth, creativity, reflection, and joy. Meaningful engagement with students and coaches ensures the activity continues to flourish.
Coach Development
This year’s focus includes improving ballot feedback to help students grow and supporting coaches as they guide students toward their best work.
2026-2027 Goals
- Award 50 hours of professional development credit through the Community Learning Series modules.
- 75% of coaches who complete the Community Learning Series modules will apply the communication strategies they learn to their coaching practice.
- 70% of district chairs will complete Belonging and Inclusion training.
- Complete the Building Better Ballots resource page.
- Continue supporting caucus and interest group co-chairs as they share coaching strategies and connect coaches with the national office.
- 70% of mentor/mentee pairs will complete the six-month cycle of the NSDA Mentoring Program.
- 70% of mentors in the Coaches Mentorship Program will report increased confidence in their role as a coach/advisor and greater connection to the broader speech and debate community.