Team Policy Debate

There probably is no better single skill to prepare middle school and high school students for academic success in college, as well as professional success in life, than debate.  Studying debate develops and accelerates myriad skills in students, such as critical thinking, research, oral and written communication, public speaking, and teamwork.  And if done well, it also tends to develop intellectual curiosity and a love of learning in the student.

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Debate has a long and noble history in Western Civilization, going all the way back to ancient Greece.  One of the core values of traditional Western Civilization is that ideas matter, and the best ideas should have preeminence in civilization.  But, as anyone with a good idea knows, it takes much more than coming up with a good idea to see that good idea have fruition and make an impact on the world.  The idea must be communicated to others.  Audiences must be persuaded of the goodness and value of the idea.  Teams must be motivated to act upon the idea to make the world a better place.  And, as anyone who has tried to implement a good idea can verify, opposition to a new idea - even a very good one - invariably arises!  Thus, the one who would bring a good idea to fruition in society must be able to put forth a sound and convincing argument as to why his or her idea should be embraced, despite the opposition.

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Factual evidence demonstrates that middle school and high school students who participate in debate have higher rates of graduation, higher rates of college attendance, higher grades in college, and greater career success.  But life is more than diplomas and dollars. Learning debate enhances life skills and will provide life-long benefits and rewards to the student.

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In Team Policy Debate, teams of two debate against each other on topics of United States federal government policy.  Students study a designated area of U.S. federal government policy during the entire academic year.  For example, during the 2024-2025 academic year, students will be studying our nation's foreign policies toward Central America.  (Past policy areas of study have included transportation policy, foreign trade, the criminal justice system, etc.)  Team Policy Debate is an excellent academic exercise as it requires students to study, in-depth, current U.S. government policies that are highly relevant and important.  How many high school students have an opportunity to deeply study the complex system of our nation's policies toward Central America?  Students in Lux Debate Club this year will do that and more.

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During the academic school year, students will have opportunities to compete in local debate tournaments in the metro Austin, San Antonio, and Houston areas of Texas, as well as in online tournaments with students all over the United States, if desired, to test their skills and knowledge against other teams on the policy debate topic.  (Participation in tournaments, including out-of-town travel, is voluntary, and this decision is left up to each family.)  At the end of the academic year, top teams are invited to compete in the Region 12 Championship Tournament.  From there, the strongest teams are invited to the NCFCA National Championship Tournament.