Policy Debate 
2009-2010 Topic
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States.
Lincoln-Douglas presented by Lincoln Financial Group
2009 November/December Topic
Resolved:Public health concerns justify compulsory immunization.
Public Forum
2009 December Topic
Resolved: That merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools.
2009 November Topic
Resolved: Failed nations are a greater threat to the United States than stable nations.
People Speak Global Debates
2009 October-November Topic, presented by the United Nations Foundation
When it cannot do both, the United Nations should prioritize poverty reduction over combating climate change.
International Public Policy Forum
Sponsored by the Bickel & Brewer Foundation
°° Both this year's Policy Debate and the October Public Forum topics make it easy for debaters familiar with both formats to enter the contest. For more information, click the "Resources" button!
Policy Debate
The NFHS Speech, Debate & Theatre Association handles selection of the annual topic, where each state organization, the NFL, NCFL and NDCA all have voting privileges. Therefore, each NFL chapter advisor may submit a ballot to the National Office during September-October, ranking five preliminary topics. In November-December, each advisor then selects one of two final topics. The NFL tallies and submits one vote to the NFHS, who announces the new topic in early January.
Lincoln-Douglas
- August 15 -- September/October Topic
- October 1 -- November/December Topic
- December 1 -- January/February Topic
- February 1 -- March/April Topic
- May 1 -- National Topic
Chapter advisors vote for a new slate of Lincoln-Douglas topics by sending their ballot to the National Office no later than September 11.
Public Forum
- August 15 - September Topic
- September 1 - October Topic
- October 1 - November Topic
- November 1 - December Topic
- December 1 - January Topic
- December 15 - February Topic
- February 1 - March Topic
- March 1 - April Topic
- May 1 - National Tournament Topic
Send us topic ideas for Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas Debate!
