GREAT COMMUNICATOR DEBATE SERIES
The Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Debate Series is designed to develop proactive informed, educated, and conscientious citizens and leaders by creating and hosting a national series of high school debates. This series is aimed at engaging and informing young people whose first opportunity to participate as voters will take place in the 2012 presidential election and beyond. This nonpartisan debate series will culminate in a National Championship, hosted on-site at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and will showcase the talents of top ranked high school debaters from eight diverse regions across the country.
The National Championship itself will coincide with the final debates of the 2012 presidential election, and will promote civic engagement, highlight the legacy of President Reagan as both "The Great Communicator" and a legendary presidential debater, and spotlight several of the nation's most promising high school communicators. Engaging in civil discourse around the principles of government is a hallmark of American democracy, and the Reagan Library has frequently served as a venue for civic and political leaders to examine pressing national and world issues since its inception.
Curriculum resources will be available that emphasize various civic controversies that can be used to provide students with the opportunity to critically engage important aspects of national service. Resources provided will include a topic outline, essential readings and videos, and a debate template to allow for equitable participation. Incentives will be offered at each level of competition to encourage participation. Next, an organizing structure with the theme of national service will be put in place to engender individual school practices that lead to individual school competitions, where participating schools select a representative. Finally these national qualifiers will compete to earn a slot as one of eight participants who will vie to be the winner as the "Ronald Reagan Great Communicator National Champion".
For more information on the debate, including resources, registration for your school, standard format, and potential topics go to: http://greatcommunicatordebate.wikispaces.com