“Forensics is an activity that accepts all kinds of students and embraces differences and disabilities and celebrates them.”
Jennifer Kieran
Speech Coach, Ellsworth HS
2017 New Coach Award Honoree
2017 New Coach Award Honoree
“Forensics is the purest form of teaching. You get to work directly with kids and help them grow throughout their high school years.”
Dr. Kay Neal
Professor Emeritus, UW-Oshkosh; former WISDAA Debate Advisor
“Completing the educational process through activities, students learn teamwork, fair play, self-discipline, self-confidence, and how to handle competitive situations.”
Dr. Karissa Neihoff
Executive Director, National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
Advocacy Resources: National Partner Organizations
Interscholastic academic/performing arts sports, such as One-Act Theatre, Speech, Debate, and Film, should be supported by schools much in the same way they support athletics. Moreover, these academic sports can be sustained at a fraction of the cost of athletics through local and state contests of the WISDAA.
According to the National Speech & Debate Association, schools who offer programming report:
- Increased attendance
- Higher test scores
- Rise in college acceptance
- Unique benefits for at-risk students
- Reduced drop-out rates
The Wisconsin State Legislature passed a joint resolution recognizing March 3, 2017 as National Speech and Debate Education Day, thanks to our friends at the National Speech & Debate Association (formerly National Forensic League).
Publication Resources
Advocacy
The Value of Speech, Debate, and Theatre Activities
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
Size: 124.62 KB
Hits: 87
Teaching Soft Skills-Helping Youth Transition with Strength
Rostrum (2017), National Speech & Debate Association
Size: 170.95 KB
Hits: 261
Forensics is too value of a program to be lost in Ripon schools
Letter to the editor, Ripon Commonwealth, March 19, 2015
Size: 37.95 KB
Hits: 75
Forensics and College Admissions
Rostrum, National Speech & Debate Association (1999)
Size: 21.58 KB
Hits: 69
Forensics Can Change Lives
English Journal 84(7) - Nov 1995
Size: 184.23 KB
Hits: 74
Every Student Must Communicate
WASB School News, April 2016
Size: 1.12 MB
Hits: 69
Enhancing Civic Literacy & Democracy
Principal Leadership 9(9) - May 2009
Size: 572.24 KB
Hits: 73
An Investigation into the Relationship Between Participation in Competitive Forensics and Standardized Test Scores
Rostrum(84)2, National Speech & Debate Association
Size: 784.27 KB
Hits: 147
Administrator Letter
From Polly Reikowski, Principal, Eagan HS, Minnesota
Size: 1.38 MB
Hits: 76
A Better Investment Not Found on Wall Street
Rostrum 76(5) - Jan 2002 (National Speech & Debate Association)
Size: 250.61 KB
Hits: 73