Community Impact Report 2023
Inspiring Participation
We are proud to see students and coaches earn recognition as they grow in their skills through speech and debate. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, our community members competed, earned degrees, and upheld the highest standards of the NSDA Honor Code through student service and academic achievements.
Student and Coach Education
NSDA resources are like having another coach on your roster. Our highly-rated tools lightened the load for teams in 2022-2023. Grab-and-go tools from lesson plans and textbooks to student practice materials and final round videos are all included with membership.
National Tournament
Increasing Access
Last-Chance Qualifier
The Last-Chance Qualifier once again offered students who did not qualify through their district tournament series a chance to make it to the National Tournament in their main event. Schools took advantage of the opportunity to bring students for supplemental events as well.
Springboard Series
We are indebted to the NSDA and The Julia Burke Foundation for this series that has helped us significantly grow participation in our middle school program. Both the synchronous and asynchronous opportunities allow for students with varying needs or obstacles to compete in speech and debate where they may not have been able to do so in traditional formats and tournament structures.
Funding
Keith West Memorial Fund
The Keith West Memorial Fund provided grants to eight schools in the fall of 2023. We look forward to honoring Keith’s life and legacy by increasing access to speech and debate through these grants each year.
Tate Road to Nationals Fund
The Road to Nationals Fund, founded by the William Woods Tate, Jr. Memorial Fund, is designed to help students attend the high school National Speech & Debate Tournament. The Road to Nationals Fund provides financial assistance to schools who are lacking financial resources to attend the tournament.
In 2023, the NSDA was proud to provide over $100,000 to schools to create a more equitable National Tournament experience.
Membership Grants
Number of Schools Receiving Free or Discounted Memberships
205
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIPS
281
STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS
1,509
RESOURCE PACKAGES
Creating Community
Highlighting Student Voices
We introduced the Student Leadership Council this year! The inaugural class, composed of 24 high school student members from across the country, provides feedback on NSDA offerings and develops resources for the community.
The Student Leadership Council has provided the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the NSDA, collaborate with peers, and develop solutions facing our community. Working with the people on the council has not only made us co-conspirators for mutual goals, but also made us a group of friends spanning across regions.
Alumni
We are building a community of alumni who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of public speakers. Our community is now over 6,500 members strong and growing!
Anyone who graduated from high school and participated in speech and debate during middle school, high school, or college is eligible to join the speech and debate alumni community.
Customer Service
When you have questions throughout the year, we are here to provide the support your team needs.