May 14, 2022
Yulee, Fla. - On May 14th, a Nassau County FCDI teacher was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as the Florida High School Teacher of the Year. Presented by State Adjutant/QuartermasterGene Perrino Sr., the VFW annually recognizes an exceptional teacher from the state on the elementary, middle school and high school levels for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. Ms. Van Delinder is the honoree for the high school level for Florida. Nominated by Post 4351 in Fernandina, Ms. Van Delinder als oreceived $850 from the post , district and state. A speech, debate, dual enrollment and English teacher at Yulee High School, she initiated and coordinates an annual “Valentines for Veterans” campaign in which the students write letters to veterans and send them to the V.A. Hospital. Her students also interview veterans as a class assignment, then summarize their interviews and write character sketches of the interviewees. In accepting the award, Ms. Van Delinder said, “I’m very appreciative of this recognition because I really want to encourage the students to honor and appreciate those who have defended our freedoms." In her forty-eight years in education, she has taught on the college, high school and elementary levels, as well has having been a school principal.
June 2, 2021
Tallahassee, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced that 102 Florida schools have been chosen to participate in the second phase of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative. These schools will expand on the success of the program’s first year and its work to elevate civic knowledge, skills and disposition for middle and high school students through speech and debate.
During the 2020-2021 school year, the initiative established competitive speech and debate teams in 30 Florida school districts, with 59 schools and over 2,000 student competitors. With the addition of 102 schools in Phase Two, a total of 161 schools from 48 districts will participate in the 2021-2022 school year. This is more than four times the number of districts offering competitive debate programs in Florida since the program began. Before the initiative began, Florida saw competitive debate programs offered in only 11 school districts. Along with debate team support, program coaches and regional ambassadors participate in regular professional development sessions to learn how to prepare students for competitive debate.
“It is essential that our students have a deep understanding of our government’s structure and the fundamental principles upon which our country was founded,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Phase Two of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative will give thousands more students the opportunity to build on their understanding of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the confidence to defend America’s founding principles.”
“The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative supports student academic success while building great citizens,” said Commissioner Corcoran. “Research shows the many benefits that participating in debate has on critical thinking, test scores, graduation rates, and college acceptance. I am thrilled about the expansion and want to thank the incredible Florida educators who are working hard to help make this initiative available in so many Florida schools.”
Each school chosen to participate in Phase Two will receive support in the 2021-2022 school year to start debate teams, professional development for new coaches, and support educational resources, tournament transportation, coach stipends and membership in the National Speech and Debate Association.
The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative also announced the dates for several upcoming competitions and student opportunities available this year:
Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Summer Camps, June 21-July 2, 2021
National Civics and Debate Championship, November 12-14, 2021
“Debate is a team sport,” said Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Director Beth Eskin. “These programs help students develop problem solving, communication, teamwork and analytical skills. It’s so rewarding to watch students grow in their craft and to work with dedicated coaches and volunteers who are passionate about bringing these important life skills to their students. As we move into phase two, I am excited to help the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative implement its mission and work with our newest coaches and students experiencing debate for the first time.”
About Florida Civics and Debate Initiative
In June of 2020, the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative announced the schools chosen to participate in its phase one. The initiative aims to elevate civic knowledge, civic skills and civic disposition for middle and high school students through speech and debate.
Florida Civics and Debate Initiative’s mission is to create access and opportunities for all students to have the best civics education including curriculum, debate programs, and high-quality teachers that are catalysts for students becoming great citizens who can preserve our constitutional republic for future generations. It introduces students to real-world issues and allows them to participate in the democratic process. Each participating school in Florida Civics and Debate Initiative receives funding support to start their debate teams, including funds to offset educational resources, tournament transportation, coach stipends and membership in the National Speech and Debate Association.
The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is part of a multi-year, $5 million grant from the Marcus Foundation, Inc., as well as a $1.6 million investment from the Florida legislature to elevate civic knowledge, civic skills and civic disposition for middle and high school students through speech and debate. The initiative plans to expand into all Florida school districts by 2023, aiming to increase access for all students to participate in speech and debate programs, regardless of where they live, socio-economic status or background.
For more information about the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, visit www.floridaeducationfoundation.org/fcdi.
June 12, 2020
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced 60 schools, representing 29 districts in Florida, were chosen to participate in the first phase of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative. On January 27, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the multi-year, $5 million grant from the Marcus Foundation, Inc., to elevate civic knowledge, civic skills and civic disposition for middle and high school students through speech and debate. A full list of the 60 schools participating in the first phase is provided above.
FDOE also opened an online survey platform to gather input on the K-12 Civics and Government standards. The standards revision can be found at http://www.fldoe.org/civicsreview and is a result of House Bill 807 signed by Governor DeSantis in June 2019 that required the FDOE to conduct a complete review of the statewide civics education standards by December 31, 2020.
“The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative will allow thousands of students across our state to not only learn about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, but also give them the confidence to succeed academically and in life,” said Governor DeSantis. “I commend students and educators across Florida for making civic literacy a priority. Our state is making great strides to reach our goal to be number one in the nation for civic literacy and education.”
The first phase of the initiative consists of 60 schools in 29 school districts, with the goal of expanding into all Florida school districts by 2023. This will increase access for all students to participate in speech and debate programs, regardless of where they live, socio-economic status or background. Debate takes the traditional approach of learning civics – typically students’ simply gaining knowledge and understanding of our government’s structures – and elevates it by simulating important real-world constitutional, legal and societal issues and conducting critical analyses of both sides. Additionally, Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards arm Florida educators with the tools they need to ensure all Florida students receive a quality civic education. The Florida Department of Education is preparing for a civics standards review in the 2020-2021 school year.
“I commend Florida school districts for prioritizing civic literacy. The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative combined with prioritizing civics in every grade through Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards will no doubt make Florida students first in the nation in civic literacy and knowledge,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is a terrific opportunity for Florida students to have full lives, advocate for themselves and become active in their local community, our state and the nation. My greatest appreciation to the Marcus Foundation for their generous funding to support civics and debate in Florida schools.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida launched a civic literacy pilot program in two Florida school districts. Many districts expressed interest in participating but were stymied due to school campus closures. FDOE applauds these districts and students for prioritizing civic literacy, and recognizing the need for a quality civic education. Of those that participated, 36% of students passed the assessment. While this is just a small sample, it explicitly depicts the need for greater exposure to civics education.
In addition to the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, Florida’s new B.E.S.T.(Benchmarks for Exceptional Student Thinking) Standards fully integrate civics into every grade by including a recommended civics reading list with foundational historic American documents, publications from most major literary periods, and significant historical documents crucial to ensuring American history and civics in integrated at every grade level. The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative and Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards will work hand in hand to ensure Florida students receive the high-quality civic education they deserve.
Each participating school in Florida Civics and Debate Initiative will receive funding support to start their debate teams, including funds to offset educational resources, tournament transportation, coach stipends and membership in the National Speech and Debate Association.
Public input on the civics standards is encouraged through an online survey platform –the same tool used to generate nearly 100,000 public suggestions for the B.E.S.T. English Language Arts and Mathematics standards – accessible at https://www.floridacivicsreview.org/. This online platform provides all stakeholders with open access to participate inthe review process until August 5, 2020. Stakeholders are required to provide user information before providing input.
For more information about the civics review, visit http://www.fldoe.org/civicsreview.
Each participating school in Florida Civics and Debate Initiative will receive funding support to start their debate teams, including funds to offset educational resources, tournament transportation, coach stipends and membership in the National Speech and Debate Association.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
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August 12, 2020
Tallahassee, Fla. - Today, twelve local educators were named statewide ambassadors, selected to help lead the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, a program of the Florida Education Foundation that aims to elevate civic knowledge, civic skills and civic disposition for middle and high school students through speech and debate. These ambassadors will help implement the initiative for their regions, implementing monthly tournaments, coordinating local leaders, fostering student growth and guiding them toward a statewide tournament being planned in the spring.
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran congratulated the ambassadors:
● Pauline Buis, Niceville High School, Niceville
● Katrina Brownsberger, Bruner Middle School, Fort Walton
● Dr. Kellie Roberts, University of Florida, Gainesville
● Marna Weston, Oak Hall School, Gainesville
● Danielle Lucas, Robinson High School, Tampa
● Apryl Taylor, Osceola County School for the Arts, Kissimmee
● Robin Fieler, Colonial High School, Orlando
● Randall Martinez, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orlando
● Traci Lowe, Suncoast High School, Palm Beach
● Paul Gaba,Wellington High School, Wellington
● Carol Cecil, G.Holmes Braddock High School, Miami
● Renea Moss, Miramar High School, Miramar
“I commend these passionate local educators for helping to lead the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative,” said Commissioner Corcoran. “Together, they bring a combination of unique backgrounds, decades of experience and knowledge that will help a generation of students become great citizens. The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is a terrific opportunity for Florida to boost high school students’ civics knowledge, so when they transition to college, career and life, they will be ready to advocate for themselves and become active in their local community, our state and the nation.”
In June, the initiative announced 60 schools, representing 29 districts in Florida, chosen to participate in phase one.
The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative’s mission is to create access and opportunities for all students to have the best civics education in America, including curriculum, debate programs and high-quality teachers that are catalysts for student success. It introduces students to real-world issues and allows them to participate in the democratic process. Each participating school in Florida Civics and Debate Initiative will receive funding support to start their debate teams, including funds to offset educational resources, tournament transportation, coach stipends and membership in the National Speech and Debate Association.
The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is part of a multi-year, $5 million grant from the Marcus Foundation, Inc., to elevate civic knowledge, civic skills and civic disposition for middle and high school students through speech and debate early in 2020. Following this initial phase, the initiative plans to expand into all Florida school districts by 2023, aiming to increase access for all students to participate in speech and debate programs, regardless of where they live, socio-economic status or background.
For more information about the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, visit www.floridaeducationfoundation.org/fcdi.
The Florida Education Foundation is the direct support organization for the Florida Department of Education.
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