A Plan To Save Rural Debate

The lack of equality in rural debate programs is an issue many in the debate community have highlighted. Problems such as lack of mentorship, resources, and geographic isolation are often cited as root causes for the significant disadvantages rural schools face. I have personally witnessed this issue, whether at tournaments where I connected with rural debaters or at camps where I discussed the challenges they face. However, the more I spoke with individuals about the dire situation in rural debate programs, the more I wondered about potential solutions. This past summer, I spent a considerable amount of time brainstorming a practical plan to address these issues. This led me to develop a three-step solution for saving rural debate.

Step 1: Centralization

A significant problem in addressing equality in the debate community is the lack of a centralized framework. Without a central point, advocacy projects become less effective due to poor coordination. I believe the best method for establishing a central point of contact is to partner with the largest debate organization: the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA). By coordinating with the NSDA, which already hosts a vast network of coaches, mentors, and resources, we can create a centralized framework. This will enhance outreach and ensure that efforts to reduce rural debate inequity are efficient and impactful nationwide. The NSDA's presence in every state and its ability to offer key mentorship and centralized frameworks make it the ideal partner for this initiative.

Step 2: Resource Infrastructure

With the NSDA partnership, each state should establish a resource bank reserved for rural schools. This could be a physical location or an online platform, but the purpose remains the same: to address disadvantages. Many rural debaters I have talked to have expressed frustration over the lack of high-quality debate packets and materials. While in-depth research and hard work are essential for better quality packets and cards, it is important to understand that teams with better connections have easier access to these resources. A resource bank, updated regularly with up-to-date information and provided at little to no cost, can help mitigate these disparities. The specifics of how these banks will function can be refined through state partnerships with the NSDA. To be fair, this bank of resources should be there to level the playing field for rural debaters and not give an unfair advantage to them, and so I believe the resources in these banks should be guides for research and should help these debaters get a good start on their research. 

Additionally, partnerships between the NSDA and local state governments are crucial for addressing the lack of quality technology many rural debaters face. During an online debate camp in 2023, many rural debaters mentioned their struggles with inadequate technology due to low funding. I believe collaborations with local governments to secure funding for better technology are essential.

Step 3: Training

This step involves leveraging existing resources to improve training for rural debaters. The NSDA's extensive mentorship and experience base can be used to train rural high school coaches and students. I propose a program that sends mentors to rural schools monthly to provide training on debate strategy and information that may not be readily available to them. This training ensures that both coaches and debaters have an equal opportunity. Training also includes setting up more competitions and tournaments to prepare rural debaters such as this one here. One of the biggest challenges rural debaters face is the lack of scrimmages and competitions, which are vital for preparing for national tournaments. I believe the NSDA should use its connections with high schools across several states to organize tournaments in rural areas, inviting experienced and larger debate programs. This will give rural schools the preparation and confidence needed for future tournaments. I think there are several organizations already existing in the debate space that do this, I have linked them below. In fact, the National Speech and Debate Association already conducts many workshops and training programs for emerging debaters. This very experience with running camps and training is what I think needs to be leveraged and used when spreading these initiatives to rural areas.

Concerns

I would like to take this section to address some concerns with this 3 step plan because I believe it is not completely flawless and there are legitimate things that could be said about it.

Won’t providing debate materials to rural schools be unfair to teams who do a lot of research to get the same materials?

Yes, it's true that many teams work hard to gather debate packets and information. However, we must recognize that many rural debaters lack the proper technology to conduct adequate research. Moreover, I believe these debate packets should serve as guides to help rural debaters get a good starting point for their research.

How much will this cost?

The initial costs for the NSDA and partnered organizations to provide resources and mentorship are unavoidable. However, the return is a more equitable debate space where rural schools no longer suffer from a lack of resources.

What is the timeline for this plan?

The timeline depends on how motivated the debate community is about this issue and the number of initiatives we undertake to secure partnerships and reach. In short, the timeline is up to us, so let's make it happen sooner rather than later.

Conclusion

Though these guidelines and the framework I have described may not be flawless, I fully believe that it gives a good chance for rural debaters. Many of you reading this are active participants in various debate formats. Some of you may be top debaters who have won numerous awards. Whether you come from schools with extensive debate programs or have achieved individual success, remember that the debate community exists because of the people that make it up. Let's uphold the community and support our fellow rural debaters.

Here is a list of organizations helping the rural space:

Rural Debate Initiative

Florida Civics and Debate Initiative

Outreach Debate