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ORLANDO, Fla., January 24, 2025 –  This weekend, the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) brought together 420 middle and high school students from 72 schools across Florida and out-of-state to compete in The Great Debate: Florida’s National Civics and Debate Championship (NCDC) in Orlando. FCDI was proud to name tournament champions in Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Debate and Legislative Debate. The Great Debate was held at the Rosen Centre Hotel and Lake Buena Vista High School in Orlando. Since the inaugural event in 2021, the event has grown exponentially and garnered the attention of students nationwide who want to compete. Students from schools from Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada and Florida participated in this year’s event. “Florida is at the forefront of civics education, and we are committed to continuing to provide opportunities for students to learn about the founding principles of our great Republic,”  said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr . “Congratulations to the students who placed in The Great Debate competition. We’re excited to see how this initiative and this annual competition will continue to set the standard for civics education in the years to come, inspiring communities across Florida and the nation.” “The Great Debate continues to evolve into a transformative event for students to access the highest quality educational opportunities – a cornerstone of the Florida Education Foundation’s mission,”  said Rebecca Matthews, Board Chair of the Florida Education Foundation and University of West Florida Board Member . “Through this speech and debate competition, we have an opportunity for Florida students to compete at the highest level with students from across the country.” As a hallmark event of FCDI, The Great Debate aims to inspire middle and high school students to engage in civics activities and elevate their civic knowledge. Established in January 2019, FCDI is dedicated to advancing civics education across the state. The Great Debate named 8 winners between middle school and high school divisions. Judges scored students in Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Debate and Legislative Debate, naming a winner for each event as well as an overall champion for both age groups. Two additional awards, the Freedom Cup Award and Inspiring Coach Awards were also given during the ceremony. The Freedom Cup honors a student who embodies what it means to be a great citizen. Nominated by their students, three inspiring coaches are also honored for inspiring their students and excelling at the craft of speech and debate. Top Five High School Overall (Hunter Hayes – 5th, Sahiti Reddy – 2nd, Oscar Rubio Flores – 1st, Grace Jackson – 3rd, Anabel Kirkland – 4th) Top Five Middle School Overall (Aryana Sahai – 1st, Nathan Moronta – 5th, Armaan Seth – 2nd, Lara Castineyra – 3rd , Sara Khial – 4th) Inspiring Coach Awards, ToryAnn Stutts, K. Morgan Mousley, Kristin Potter-Oliveri Freedom Cup Winner, Erabelle Conant, Keystone Heights Jr. Sr. High School Overall – Middle School Division Champion – Aryana Sahai, A.D. Henderson University School 2nd Place – Armaan Seth, The Frazier School, Gainesville 3rd Place – Lara Castineyra, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville 4th Place – Sara Khial, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville 5th Place – Nathan Moronta, iPrep Academy North Middle School, Miami Overall – High School Division Champion – Oscar Rubio Flores, Wildwood High School, Wildwood 2nd Place – Andria Antony, Hagerty High School, Oviedo 3rd Place – Grace Jackson, Hagerty High School, Oviedo 4th Place – Anabel Kirkland, Lake Nona High School, Orlando 5th Place – Hunter Hayes, Lake Nona High School, Orlando Impromptu Speaking – Middle School Division Champion – Josh Kim, The Frazer School, Gainesville 2nd Place – Madison Lavidas, Randall Middle School, Lithia 3rd Place – Breanna Kopinski, Roulhac Middle School, Chipley 4th Place – Thomas Moywaywa, The Frazer School, Gainesville 5th Place – Ellington Smith, Oak View Middle School, Newberry Impromptu Speaking – High School Division Champion – David Arutyunyan, FAU High School, Boca Raton 2nd Place – Grace Jackson, Hagerty High School, Oviedo 3rd Place – Jackson Buzzard, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 4th Place – Jordan Miranda Juarez, Wildwood High School, Wildwood 5th Place – Peter Moywaya, The Frazer School, Gainesville Extemporaneous Debate – Middle School Division Champion – Aryana Sahai, A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton 2nd Place – Nathan Moronta, iPrep Academy North Middle School, Miami 3rd Place – Gage Papp, A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton 4th Place – Lara Castineyra, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville 5th Place – Sara Khial, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville Extemporaneous Debate – High School Division Champion – Noah De Haan, Tocoi Creek High School, St. Augustine 2nd Place – Nicholas Ostheimer, FAU High School, Boca Raton 3rd Place – Evden Tilley, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 4th Place – Elizabeth Grounds, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 5th Place – Graham Bowser, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Legislative Debate – Middle School Division Champion – Angela Ostheimer, A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton 2nd Place – Armaan, Seth, The Frazer School, Gainesville 3rd Place – Vincent Wen, The Frazer School, Gainesville 4th Place – Sara Khial, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville 5th Place – Emery Brooks, Seaside Neighborhood School, Santa Rosa Beach Legislative Debate – High School Division Champion – Hunter Hayes, Lake Nona High School, Orlando 2nd Place – Sahiti Reddy, Tocoi Creek High School, St. Augustine 3rd Place – Andria Antony, Hagerty High School, Oviedo 4th Place – Grace M. Rivera Gonzalez, Lake Nona High School, Orlando 5th Place – Samantha Faucette, Apopka High School, Apopka Inspiring Coach Award K. Morgan Mousley, Tocoi Creek High School, St. Augustine Kristin Potter-Oliveri, FAU High School/A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton ToryAnn Stutts, Orlando Science High School, Orlando Freedom Cup Award Erabelle Conant, Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School, Keystone Heights View a full list of winners and learn more about the NCDC at  www.TheGreatDebateFL.com . ABOUT THE FLORIDA CIVICS AND DEBATE INITIATIVE: Florida is leading the way in strengthening civics instruction and education in Florida’s kindergarten through post-secondary schools. In 2019, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation established a statewide debate program that focused on civics education. The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) is the first of its kind to use debate specifically as a tool to enrich civics education and to have incredibly strong support from state leaders. FCDI continues to grow exponentially and will soon have debate teams in every school district in Florida. ###   For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit  www.fldoe.org .

Thank you to the students, parents and coaches who participated in the third annual FCDI Day at The Capitol! On Wednesday, February 7, more than 100 students, coaches and family members traveled to our state’s capitol to advocate for the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) and be immersed in the state government process during the 2024 legislative session. The students, winners of the 2024 National Civics and Debate Championship: The Great Debate (The Great Debate), proudly represented the top talent of the 67 school districts across Florida that have FCDI programs. To kick off their day, students gathered at the front of Florida’s Historic Capitol for a group photo. After taking in the landscape of the beautiful Capitol Courtyard, the students went to the House Chamber Floor in the Capitol to engage in a mock session. Before they started their mock session, students heard from former Speaker of the House, Steve Crisafulli. Former Speaker Crisafulli is a Florida Education Foundation Board member, a lobbyist and a business consultant for organizations in the health care, insurance and agriculture sectors across Florida and the nation. The students passionately debated House Bill (HB) 1: Social Media Usage by Minors. HB 1 is a bill that's being considered during Florida’s 2024 legislative session. The champion of The Great Debate, Apopka High School student Saaya Lijo, along with her co-sponsor Valley Ridge Academy middle school student, Andrew Dunn, sponsored the bill. Students made strong arguments for both sides, but ultimately, the students voted on the bill and it did not pass. (Although, in Florida’s 2024 legislative session, HB 1 was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis and it has been replaced with a complimentary bill, HB 3, Online Access to Materials Harmful to Minors. HB 3 has passed the Florida Senate and the Florida House.) After experiencing their mock session in the House, the students moved to the Senate Chamber of the Historic Capitol, where they were greeted by Florida Commissioner of Education, Manny Diaz, Jr. Commissioner Diaz discussed the necessity of civic engagement with the students and shared his appreciation for the FCDI program. He also shared with the students the most valuable lessons throughout his career. After hearing from Commissioner Diaz, the students welcomed Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, who highlighted the importance of civics education with the group, saying, “Civics is so important and we prioritize it as an administration because we recognize that it truly is the foundation. It's how we stay involved, how we stay informed and how we become active in government. And we're also reminded of our volatility to our state, to our country, because it's crucial for the success of our democracy.” The FCDI students also welcomed Florida’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, Adrianna Swearingen, who spoke about her career and meaningful experience as an educator. The students heard from Richard Corcoran who serves as the President of New College of Florida. President Corcoran shared his takeaways from a successful career in state government, including serving as Speaker of the Florida House and Commissioner of Education. He encouraged the students to lead with the values of courage and kindness in their lives, first and foremost.  Allison Carter, Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House, stopped by to speak with the students on how she got involved in state government. She remarked how one does not have to run for an elected office to get involved in the legislative process, as she worked her way up during her career through many different positions. Next, the students heard from Peter Cuderman, the Director of Legislative Affairs in the Executive Office of the Governor. Peter gave an inspiring speech, motivating the students to never give up on their journey to achieving their dreams. Using anecdotes from his personal career journey, his wisdom was well-received by the group of students. Representative Sam Garrison, who currently serves in the Florida House, spoke with the students about his role as a legislator and explained that Florida has a citizen legislature; one where it's made up of citizens who have a full-time occupation in addition to being a state legislator. Representative Garrison concluded with answering questions from students about a wide variety of topics, such as HB 1 and the most impactful part of his career so far (it was serving as a prosecutor!).  After hearing from an incredible lineup of notable speakers, the group made their way to the Florida Supreme Court and met with Florida Supreme Court Justice Jaime Grosshans. Justice Grosshans is one of three female Supreme Court Justices currently sitting on the Florida Supreme Court— the first time in history this has happened. The students listened attentively as she shared her experience as a justice and the role of the Supreme Court in making decisions for the state of Florida. Finally, the students went back to the Capitol to meet and take a picture with a surprise guest— Governor Ron DeSantis! The students were ecstatic upon hearing they were meeting him, and even more so that he took time to answer a few questions about what it’s like to be Governor. The National Civics and Debate Championship winners and their families had an eventful and successful day at the Florida State Capitol. We are excited for all of the wonderful opportunities in store for Florida Civics and Debate Initiative students this upcoming year with more tournaments and fun events!

~ All 67 Districts Are Now Participating in Florida’s Civics and Debate Initiative ~ Tallahassee, Fla. — Last weekend, 420 students from around the country gathered in Orlando to compete in The Great Debate: Florida’s National Civics and Debate Competition. Participation in the competition has tripled since Governor DeSantis launched the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) in 2019. FCDI, the host of The Great Debate, now can boast that all 67 school districts in Florida have established a middle or high school debate team as part of this initiative. “The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative teaches students civics education, which is important to ensure future generations understand our nation’s core values,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Congratulations to this year’s contest winners and thank you to the more than 400 students from across the country who came to Florida to participate in The Great Debate.” “Florida is leading the way in civics education, and we are proud that our national hallmark event is growing exponentially along with the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “The Great Debate provides an opportunity for Florida to reinvigorate public debate and civil discourse while simultaneously enriching students’ understanding of the democratic values of our country.” “The Great Debate is beginning to shape into the event that we’ve imagined from the beginning,” said Rebecca Matthews, Board Chairman of the Florida Education Foundation. “We are thrilled students from all over the country came to provide our Florida students with out-of-state competitors.” “As a veteran, I appreciated seeing our youth engage in civic debate over Veterans Day weekend,” said John Duebel, Director of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative. “The Great Debate provided students the chance to enhance their civic knowledge while challenging their debate skills.” The Great Debate crowned 67 winners for both the middle school and high school divisions. Judges scored the students on Congressional Debate, Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Debate. Winners were selected for each event as well as overall winners for middle and high school. The top five winners for each division and event are: Overall – Middle School Division Champion – Ann Moywaywa, Abraham Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville 2nd Place – Natalie Sierra, iPrep Academy North, Miami 3rd Place – Truitt Williams, South Sumter Middle School, Webster 4th Place – Gerardo Cardoso, Wildwood Middle/High School, Wildwood 5th Place – Jorge Herrera, iPrep Academy North, Miami Overall – High School Division Champion – Saaya Lijo, Apopka High School, Apopka 2nd Place – Christian Bailey, Fort Walton Beach High School, Fort Walton Beach 3rd Place – Jonathan Adler, Coral Academy of Science, Las Vegas, Nevada 4th Place – Katelyn Ryan, Aberdeen Central High School, Aberdeen South Dakota 5th Place – Will Waller, Samuel W Wolfson High School, Jacksonville Congressional Debate – Middle School Division Champion – Ann Moywaywa, Abraham Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville 2nd Place – Truitt Williams, South Sumter Middle School, Webster 3rd Place – Ty Mack, iPrep Academy North, Miami 4th Place – Gerardo Cardoso, Wildwood Middle/High School, Wildwood 5th Place – Pierre Lascaze, iPrep Academy North, Miami Congressional Debate – High School Division Champion – Ewa Tryniszewski, Wellington Community High School, Wellington 2nd Place – Hunter Hayes, Lake Nona High School, Orlando 3rd Place – Vedha Ubale, Lake Nona High School, Orlando 4th Place – Samuel Nuebel, Apopka High School, Apopka 5th Place – Savannah Sisk, Lake Buena Vista High School, Orlando Extemporaneous Debate – Middle School Division Champion – Ann Moywaywa, Abraham Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville 2nd Place – Nathan Moronta, iPrep Academy North, Miami 3rd Place – Michael Huan, Abraham Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville 4th Place – Truitt Williams, South Sumter Middle School, Webster 5th Place – Krupa Augustin, Valley Ridge Academy, Ponte Vedra Beach Extemporaneous Debate – High School Division Champion – Esly Villeda Castillo, Wildwood Middle/High School, Wildwood 2nd Place – Saaya Lijo, Apopka High School, Apopka 3rd Place – Colton Collins, Okeechobee High School, Okeechobee 4th Place – Jonathan Adler, Coral Academy of Science, Las Vegas, Nevada 5th Place – Abdul-Aziz Khanfar, Suncoast High School, Riviera Beach Impromptu Speaking – Middle School Division Champion – Ann Moywaywa, Abraham Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville 2nd Place – Jorge Herrera, iPrep Academy North, Miami 3rd Place – Mia Yu, Abraham Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville 4th Place – Caressa Birks, Pembroke Pines Charter School Middle West, Pembroke Pines 5th Place – Selena Dexter, Alachua Learning Academy, Gainesville Impromptu Speaking – High School Division Champion – Will Waller, Samuel W Wolfson High School, Jacksonville 2nd Place – Vaughn Van Dyck, Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs 3rd Place – Bryson Frick, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 4th Place – Ayla Geoghegan, Samuel W Wolfson High School, Jacksonville 5th Place – Peter Moywaywa, Eastside High School, Gainesville Inspiring Coach Award Melissa Gordon, Lake Buena Vista High School, Orlando Derek Antoniazzi, Lake Nona High School, Orlando Cathy Brown, Apopka High School, Apopka Freedom Cup Award Wesley Liu, Pacific Bay Christan School, Pacifica, California For a complete list of winners, visit The Great Debate . To learn more about the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, visit www.civicsanddebate.com . Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Florida is leading the way in strengthening civics instruction and education in Florida’s kindergarten through postsecondary schools. In 2019, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation established a statewide debate program that focused on civics education. The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) is the first of its kind to use debate specifically as a tool to enrich civics education and to have incredibly strong support from state leaders.

Tallahassee, Fla., May 14, 2024 – More than 600 middle and high school students from across the state of Florida recently competed in the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championship in Orlando. Governor Ron DeSantis launched FCDI in 2019, and it has since expanded to include more than 3,400 students from over 400 middle and high schools across Florida’s 67 counties. “Governor DeSantis established the first-of-its-kind Florida Civics and Debate Initiative in 2019 to foster civil discourse and elevate civics education across Florida schools,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Debate programs statewide are flourishing, and with more than 600 students participating in the state championship, it’s clear the Governor’s vision is coming to fruition.” “The incredible talent of our debate teams across Florida is truly amazing,” said Rebecca Matthews, Board Chairman of the Florida Education Foundation. "We are dedicated to providing students with opportunities to grow and excel in their educational and career pursuits. Thank you to our teachers and coaches who ignite a passion for civic literacy in Florida students.” See the 2024 FCDI State Championship Winners See the 2024 FCDI State Championship Award Photos

Speech and Debate Increases Civics Engagement and Respect for Fellow Citizens Impact: Florida Education Foundation, Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Florida Civics and Debate Initiative has had 4,289 students actively participate in competitive speech and debate and also helped provide civics training to 6,000 Florida educators, which has impacted 765,000 students and counting.  A Conversation with Lindsey Zander, executive director of the Florida Education Foundation Q: What is the mission of the Florida Education Foundation? What problem(s) in civics education is your nonprofit working to solve? The mission of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is to create access and opportunities for all students to have the best civics education possible. That includes curriculum, debate teams and high-quality teachers who serve as a catalyst for students becoming great citizens who can preserve our constitutional republic for future generations. Our mission was created because recent research has shown that our youth are leaving high school and college with an overall lack of civics knowledge. And that civics engagement among Americans is at an all-time low. Meanwhile, America is becoming more polarized by the day. People dig into positions without fully examining them. They want to be heard, but they refuse to listen to others. Q: How do you describe the big goals the Florida Education Foundation is working to achieve? How do you measure impact? Our big goal is to produce good citizens, and our big success metric is our republic being preserved for future generations. We also have smaller and more measurable goals. One of those is to involve more students regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status, and to expand our speech and debate teams beyond middle- and high-school into elementary schools as well. Ultimately, we want to become a national speech and debate league. Our key metrics of success are increasing numbers of debate teams and participants. Q: What are some of the biggest challenges the Florida Education Foundation has experienced working to accomplish its mission? How did your organization overcome those challenges? Our first challenge is raising awareness about the benefits of speech and debate. Another is recruiting new coaches and teams to participate. And during this period of exponential growth, another challenge is providing the necessary support to all the teams throughout the state. To help overcome these challenges, we’ve recruited regional ambassadors across the state and also partnered with the Florida Department of Education, Division of Public Schools. Q: What is the Florida Education Foundation’s biggest need where philanthropists can help your organization achieve its goals? To achieve our goals, we need to hire regional personnel to help us recruit and support speech and debate coaches and participants. Financial resources are also needed to provide competitive speech and debate teams to populations, including those in rural or urban areas who couldn’t otherwise afford to participate. Q: Beyond the Florida Education Foundation, where should philanthropists who care about advancing civic knowledge invest their charitable dollars?  We certainly appreciate the partnership and the continued support of several like-minded organizations that have a shared goal of advancing civic knowledge. And some of those include the Bill of Rights Institute, the Ashbrook Center, Jack Miller Center, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, the Foundation for Economic Education and the Hamilton Center at the University of Florida. Learn more about Philanthropy Roundtable's Civics Playbook , a digital resource for donors looking to make wise investments in high-impact organizations dedicated to enhancing civics education nationwide.

Tallahassee, Fla. – This past summer, the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) successfully hosted their first annual Civics and Debate Summer Camp. More than 130 Florida debate students attended the enriching and adventurous five-day camp. Held from June 24-28 in the Florida Panhandle, the Summer Camp was an immersive debate opportunity for novice, as well as experienced, debate students. The camp combined intensive debate instruction with fun recreational activities. “Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida is leading in civics education to foster a generation of engaged and informed citizens,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “The FCDI Summer Camp and the initiative’s year-round programs equip students with critical thinking skills that empower them to actively participate in our republic.” FCDI’s Summer Camp was facilitated by seasoned debate coaches and mentors. The Florida Debate Initiative, a partner of FCDI, also facilitated debate instruction and competitions. Through coaching and debate sessions, students honed their research, critical thinking, public speaking and technical debate skills. Over the five days, students participated in civics and debate courses, enhancing their skills and knowledge in four areas of debate: Primary Document Sources and Speech Topic Development, Congressional Debate, Extemporaneous Debate and Impromptu Speaking. In addition to the educational debate sessions, students enjoyed various recreational and outdoor activities, including swimming, canoeing, paintball, archery and more. They spent their evenings gathering around bonfires, roasting s’mores and playing games. These activities offered a well-rounded camp experience that encouraged camaraderie, team building and outdoor exploration. Interested in being a part of next year's Summer Camp? Sign up here to join our e-mail list! For more information about the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, visit www.civicsandebate.com . ABOUT THE FLORIDA CIVICS AND DEBATE INITIATIVE The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) is committed to enhancing civics education and debate programs in Florida's schools. Established by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation, FCDI uses debate as a tool to enrich civics education, fostering critical thinking and public speaking skills among students.

Each educator earning a Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement receives a stipend worth $3,000 each TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida has awarded 11,000 teachers more than $33 million for completing civics training offered by the Florida Department of Education. The educators have completed either the Summer Civics Professional Learning Series or the first-of-its-kind Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement, which equip teachers with the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality civics instruction. Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) launched the Civics Seal of Excellence in January, and more than 10,000 teachers registered for the course within the first week. Course enrollment is at capacity with 20,000 teachers enrolled and an additional 11,000 educators on the waiting list. FDOE enlisted the assistance of nationally recognized civics experts to create the 50-hour online program that contains over 28 hours of high-quality video lessons focused on America’s history, civics, and government. “Understanding the founding principles of our nation is the key to protecting and maintaining our republic for generations to come,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida teachers are leading the way in civics education, which is demonstrated by our student success, especially when compared to the rest of the nation. Congratulations to our educators who have taken advantage of Florida’s unique civics professional learning opportunities.” “Through state leadership and the commitment of thousands of educators, Florida has provided students unprecedented civics education,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Thank you to Governor DeSantis for distributing $33 million to teachers who have completed civics training to better prepare their students to become civically engaged and honor their responsibilities as American citizens.” “The Civics Seal of Excellence course should be a model for the entire nation,” said Kelley Mathews, Social Studies Teacher at Fort White High School in Columbia County. “The text assignments and materials are extremely valuable in making connections between historical context and modern day applications. I teach U.S. Government, Economics, African American History, Law Studies, and Florida History, and this course will benefit each and every one of these classes.” Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has prioritized civics education. In 2020, Governor DeSantis established the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI), the first statewide program of its kind focused on using debate as a tool to enrich civics education. Schools that participate in the FCDI have demonstrated higher pass rates on both the Civics and U.S. History End-of-Course Exams than schools without an FCDI team. The application form for schools to join the FCDI for the 2023–2024 school year is available at: Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Participation Request SY 23–24. The Civics Literacy Excellence Initiative was created in July 2021 to continue elevating civic literacy and education for Florida’s students. Efforts within the Civics Literacy Excellence Initiative include the Civics Seal of Excellence, professional learning aligned to the revised civics and government standards, the Portraits in Patriotism oral history resources, Stories of Inspiration, and Civics Academies. ###

Tallahassee, Fla., May 4, 2023 – Today, Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. celebrates Florida’s ranking as number one in education by U.S. News & World Report. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to be the national leader in education. The ranking methodology uses a variety of metrics to measure the overall quality of each state’s education system from prekindergarten through higher education. Since Governor DeSantis took office, Florida has prioritized education by providing teachers historic salary increases, ensuring students were able to return to in-person instruction following the COVID-19 pandemic, abolishing woke ideology from the classroom, eliminating Common Core and transitioning to a progress monitoring system for accountability. “The Florida education model stands alone as a shining example for all other states to follow,” said Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “Thank you to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and Florida’s outstanding teachers and students who made this recognition possible. While we are proud of this accomplishment, we will continue to multiply our efforts to solidify Florida’s reputation as the Education State” The report incorporated data from higher education, including graduation rates, population with advanced degrees, debt at graduation and the cost of tuition and fees. College readiness, high school graduation rate, preschool enrollment and results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were the metrics used to evaluate the effectiveness of education from prekindergarten through grade 12. Highlights from Florida’s number one position include: Florida ranks number one for higher education for the 7th year in a row. Florida boasts the lowest higher education in-state tuition and fees among all states. The state’s high school graduation rate was 3.7 percentage points above the national average according to U.S. News & World Report. Florida came in second for completers of two-year degree programs and ranked fourth for four-year graduation rates at higher education institutions. Florida’s college graduates had less debt at graduation than the national average by nearly $5,000. Florida ranked 12th overall for the percentage of children enrolled in a preschool program. Florida improved from third to first in education since Governor DeSantis took office. Read the full report here. ###

~ Local leaders and students celebrate FCDI Day at the Capitol as applications open for new teams ~ Tallahassee, Fla., April 20, 2023 – Today, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. encourages new schools to participate in the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) by establishing a middle or high school debate team for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. The FCDI is the first statewide program of its kind to use debate specifically as a tool to enrich civics education. Schools that participate in the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative have demonstrated higher pass rates on both the Civics and U.S. History End-of-Course Exams than schools without an FCDI team. Recently, 45 FCDI students from around the state traveled to Tallahassee to celebrate FCDI Day at the Capitol and discuss the importance of a strong civics education. Students participated in a mock session on the Senate floor; toured the Florida Supreme Court with Justice John Couriel; and met key state leaders including Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, and House Speaker Paul Renner. “As we enter the fourth year of the FCDI, I’m proud to see how quickly this program has grown,” said Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “Joining a debate team is a great opportunity for students to improve their public speaking and critical thinking skills, while developing a deeper understanding of civics. I enjoyed seeing many of our outstanding students at the capitol and was impressed with their self-confidence and professionalism.” Applications for new teams will be accepted through midnight on May 5, 2023. All Florida traditional public or public charter middle or high schools are eligible to apply. Selected schools will receive funds to support the creation of a debate team, professional development opportunities for coaches, coach stipends, curricular resources and funding to offset transportation costs for team travel to competitions. The application form for schools to join the FCDI for the 2023-2024 school year is available at: Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Participation Request SY 23-24. About the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative was created in partnership by the Florida Department of Education and Florida Education Foundation and seeks to expand and enhance civic knowledge and reinvigorate public debate and civil discourse in Florida classrooms. The program’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. Each year, FCDI students throughout the state compete in regional debates in addition to the National Civics and Debate Championship in the fall. FCDI introduces students to real-world issues and allows them to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of participation in the democratic process. Since its inception in 2020, FCDI speech and debate programs have expanded from 59 schools to nearly 400 schools. For more information about the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, visit www.civicsanddebate.com. ### For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.

Thank you to all of the students, parents and coaches who participated in the 2nd annual FCDI Day at the Capitol. On Tuesday, April 4, nearly 100 students, coaches and parents traveled to our state’s capital to advocate for the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI). The students, winners of the 2023 National Civics and Debate Championship, proudly represented the top talent of over 235 schools across the state of Florida that have FCDI debate teams. FCDI day kicked off with a scavenger hunt throughout the Historic Capitol, the Capitol Courtyard and the Main Capitol Building. The challenge included questions about Florida’s former Governors, the architecture of the building, locations of historical landmarks and the importance of civics and debate. The students were able to learn new facts about Florida and the Capitol building and they were able to participate with their fellow peers. After a morning full of adventuring the Florida State Capitol Grounds, the students met in the old Senate Chamber of the Historic Capitol, where they were greeted by State Senators Keith Perry and Alexis Calatayud. Senator Perry discussed the importance of civic engagement with them and shared stories on how he became involved in the political process. Senator Calatayud joined the students for a moment to encourage them to stay involved in civics and debate. The Senator shared how her perspective on advocacy changed once she took office and that it makes a significant difference to the members of the legislature and how they vote. Early on, she realized her passion for the political process and encouraged the students to get involved and take opportunities that will make a difference in their communities. She is Florida’s youngest Senator, representing Miami-Dade County at 29 years old. Allison Carter, the Chief of Staff for House Speaker Paul Renner, joined the group to highlight the importance of being politically engaged and informed on the lawmaking process. She has been working in the legislative process for close to 20 years and she gave insightful knowledge to all the FCDI Day attendees. Despite the House being in session, Speaker Renner was even able to drop in for a quick hello and a photo with the students! FCDI was honored to have Florida’s Lieutenant Governor, Jeanette Nuñez, join the students in the Historic Capitol. She emphasized the importance of participating in speech and debate and encouraged the students to continue their hard work. Finally, Florida’s Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., joined the students to discuss the important life skills that people learn from being involved in debate. He applauded them for the difference that they are making by advocating for the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative and congratulated them on winning the National Championship. After an incredible lineup of legislators and important government officials, the students headed to the Senate Chamber in the main Capitol and engaged in a mock session. They debated on the use of nuclear power and voted on a bill that was presented by one of the students. Surprise guest Senate President Kathleen Passidomo stepped in to welcome the students and hear some of their debate. Once the debate ended, the students voted on the bill and it passed! To wrap up the day, the group went to the Florida Supreme Court and met with Florida Supreme Court Justice John Couriel. The students listened attentively as he shared the story of how he became a justice. He spoke about the effect that the Florida Supreme Court has on Florida residents and how he truly has a passion for what he does. He took time to answer students’ questions and captivated them with his transparent and exciting responses. The champions of the National Civics and Debate Championship had an exciting and successful day at the Florida State Capitol. We are excited to see all that the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative has in store for this upcoming year with more tournaments and exciting events. We'd like to take a moment to thank Elizabeth Eskin for her hard work, commitment and dedication to the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative. Her last day as Director of FCDI culminated with FCDI Day at the Capitol, and we are so thankful she postponed her retirement a few days so she could help facilitate the event. We wish you the best of luck - you will be sorely missed!

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s ranking as the number one state in the country for parent empowerment, according to the Center for Education Reform’s Parent Power! Index. The annual Parent Power! Index debuted in 1999 and measures the extent to which states have policies in place that put students first, value the unique needs of every family, and empower parents to oversee their child’s education. Each state was ranked using three criteria: choice programs, charter schools, and innovation. Overall, Florida scored 94.6%, leading all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more on the index and methodology, click here. “Parental involvement is important to a child’s success both in school and in life, and in Florida we are proud to protect parents’ right to be involved in a child’s education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This recognition continues to show that Florida is a national leader in school choice, parent empowerment, and education as a whole.” “Florida will always protect the right of parents to raise their children how they best see fit,” said Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “We are proud to offer a variety of educational options for parents without limitations due to location or income. As the rest of the nation follows the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, the Department of Education will continue to support initiatives that uphold parental rights and expand school choice.” Florida Rankings by Category #1 in nation for digital and personalized learning #1 in nation for choice programs #2 in nation for charter schools #3 in nation for teacher quality Florida also received high scores for leadership, COVID-19 response, and transparency For the full 2022 Parent Power! Index Report, click here. In addition to today’s recognition, Florida ranked number one in the nation on the Heritage Foundation Education Freedom report card, which analyzes both the quantity and quality of a state’s school choice offerings. Nearly half of Florida students have chosen an educational option outside of their zoned traditional public school, such as open enrollment, Family Empowerment Scholarships, charter schools, virtual education, vouchers, education savings accounts, and more. To see the full Heritage Foundation Education Freedom report card, click here.

Orlando, Fla., November 16, 2022 – After three days of competition across three speech and debate categories, Sofia Mohring from Lake Mary Preparatory School was crowned the high school Champion and Daniella Rothberg from I-Prep Academy North was crowned the middle school Champion of The Great Debate: The National Speech and Debate Championship. These two students stood out among nearly 400 students from across the nation who competed in The Great Debate, hosted by the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI), a program of the Florida Education Foundation and Florida Department of Education. “Florida is leading the way in civics education. It’s our goal to strengthen the focus on civics education so that today’s students will be tomorrow’s great leaders,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “To see all these students from across the nation demonstrate their skills and capabilities in debate was remarkable.” The Great Debate is a triathlon-style tournament that puts students’ civic knowledge and communication skills to the ultimate test as they vie for a chance to become national Champions. While most conventional debate tournaments require students to compete in only one event, The Great Debate requires students to compete in all debate categories on each of the three days of the tournament. “I was a part of my high school debate team, and the most important skill I learned was not public speaking. It was listening. It’s so important that we listen to advocates on both sides of an issue so that we can understand where they’re coming from,” said Kristen Soltis Anderson, national pollster, author and show host in her welcome remarks to the students Friday evening. “By engaging in civics and debate, we’re researching, we’re formulating our opinions and – through civil discourse – we’re perpetually working to form a more perfect union. Congrats to all the participants in The Great Debate and a big thanks to all coaches, judges and parents who made this possible.” The FCDI was established by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2020 to encourage middle and high school students to engage in civic activities and elevate their civic knowledge, which has been proven to benefit student outcomes. Research shows that participating in debate can increase critical thinking skills by 44% and increase an at-risk student’s chances of graduating high school by 70%. In the past two years, the FCDI has expanded competitive debate opportunities from 59 schools in 11 school districts to 243 schools in 54 school districts, and is on pace to reach all Florida school districts this school year. The Great Debate: The National Civics and Debate Championship is the national hallmark event of the FCDI. Since last year’s inaugural event, The Great Debate more than doubled in size expanding from 152 participants to well over 300 competitors this year. Despite Hurricane Nicole making landfall earlier in the week, the 2022 competition hosted 38 out of the 40 teams originally registered, including a school from as far as South Dakota. “The Great Debate is beginning to shape into the event that we’ve imagined from the beginning,” said Rebecca Matthews, Board Chairman of the Florida Education Foundation. “We are thrilled to welcome students from all over the country to demonstrate their civics and debate skills here in the Sunshine State.” The event took place at the Caribe Royale Resort and Lake Buena Vista High School in Orlando, November 11-13. Students competed in the areas of Congressional Debate, Extemporaneous Debate and Impromptu Speaking. Congratulations to all the winners and Champions: Middle School Division Champion - Daniella Rothberg, I-Prep Academy North, Miami 2nd Place - Taylor Mack, I-Prep Academy North, Miami 3rd Place - Asher Licata, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 4th Place - Joshua Kahrim, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 5th Place - Addisyn Kostzer, Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School West, Pembroke Pines High School Division Champion - Sofia Mohring, Lake Mary Preparatory School, Lake Mary 2nd Place - Bradan Lott, Lake Mary Preparatory School, Lake Mary 3rd Place - Gaby Urdaneta, Lake Nona High School, Orlando 4th Place - Rudi Darden, South Lake High School, Groveland 5th Place - Nicholas Ostheimer, FAU High School, Boca Raton 6th Place - Jolie Lehrman, FAU High School, Boca Raton 7th Place - Arik Karim, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm Beach 8th Place - Eva Barrett, Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs 9th Place - Abiah George, Aberdeen Independent, Aberdeen, South Dakota 10th Place - Maya Venkatraman, Lake Nona High School, Orlando Congressional Debate – Middle School Division Champion - Asher Licata, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 2nd Place - Michael Gomez, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 3rd Place - Joshua Kahrim, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 4th Place - Daniella Rothberg, I-Prep Academy North, Miami 5th Place - Mia Taylor, I-Prep Academy North, Miami Congressional Debate – High School Division Champion - Rhea Thakker, Lake Mary Preparatory School, Lake Mary 2nd Place - Nicholas Ostheimer, FAU High School, Boca Raton 3rd Place - Camila Gimenez, Lake Nona High School, Orlando 4th Place - Sofia Mohring, Lake Mary Preparatory School, Lake Mary 5th Place - Kayden Greenstein, South Lake High School, Groveland Extemporaneous Debate – Middle School Division Champion - Asher Licata, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 2nd Place - Daniella Rothberg, I-Prep Academy North, Miami 3rd Place - Joshua Kahrim, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 4th Place - Addisyn Kostzer, Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School West, Pembroke Pines 5th Place - Taylor Mack, I-Prep Academy North, Miami Extemporaneous Debate – High School Division Champion - Eva Barrett, Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs 2nd Place - Gabriel Annis, Duncan U. Fletcher High School, Neptune Beach 3rd Place - Jolie Lehrman, FAU High School, Boca Raton 4th Place - Rhea Thakker, Lake Mary Preparatory School, Lake Mary 5th Place - Cristina Castresana, Pompano Beach High School, Pompano Beach Impromptu Speaking – Middle School Division Champion - Daniella Rothberg, I-Prep Academy North, Miami 2nd Place - Taylor Mack, I-Prep Academy North, Miami 3rd Place - Asher Licata, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 4th Place - Brady Abrams, AD Henderson University School, Boca Raton 5th Place - Addisyn Kostzer, Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School West, Pembroke Pines Impromptu Speaking – High School Division Champion - Alan Munschy, Christopher Columbus High School, Miami 2nd Place - Gabriel Annis, Duncan U. Fletcher High School, Neptune Beach 3rd Place - Ashley Ding, Lake Nona High School, Orlando 4th Place - Sofia Mohring, Lake Mary Preparatory School, Lake Mary 5th Place - Abiah George, Aberdeen Independent, Aberdeen, South Dakota About The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Florida is leading the way in strengthening civics education in kindergarten through postsecondary schools. In 2020, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation established a statewide debate program that focused on civics education. The FCDI is the first of its kind to use debate specifically as a tool to enrich civics education. The FCDI continues to grow exponentially and has incredibly strong support from state leaders.