Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative

Geographic Scope: Richmond region public schools and surrounding counties (Virginia)

Focus Areas:

• Establishing speech and debate programs in public schools
• Supporting competitive speech and debate teams
• Building critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity skills
• Closing regional speech and debate program deficits

Program Description:
A community initiative launched in 2018 by The Richmond Forum to bring speech and debate programs to the region's public schools. The initiative provides grants to school districts to start and support competitive debate and speech teams.

Background:

• Launched in 2018 in response to significant speech and debate program deficit in the Mid-Atlantic region
• During 2017-18 school year: Richmond Public Schools had only 1 speech/debate team despite 16 middle/high schools; surrounding counties had minimal programs
• Goal: Establish competitive programs at all regional middle and high schools by 2025

Growth & Impact:

• Started with 10 local schools and 250 students (2018)
• Grew to 28 schools and over 600 students (as of 2024)
• Increased from 4 teams to 28 teams despite COVID-19 disruptions
• Region grew from sending zero students to national tournaments to sending dozens
• Historic milestone (2020): Student placed 5th in nation for original oratory

Program Benefits (Demonstrated):

• Increased student confidence
• Better understanding of multiple perspectives
• Enhanced critical and creative thinking
• Higher academic achievement (documented studies show):
  • Baltimore study: 8th-grade reading scores increased 21%, math scores increased 13%; reduced chronic absenteeism
  • Houston ISD study: Debaters achieved higher GPAs and SAT scores (math and reading/writing) than non-debaters
  • Chicago Public Schools study: 70% greater high school graduation rate for African American males in debate vs. non-debate

Eligibility & Target:

• Middle and high school students in Richmond region public schools
• Special focus on schools serving at-risk students and communities with greatest need
• Program targets diverse student populations

What They Fund:

• Grants to school districts to establish new teams
• Support for competitive speech and debate programs
• Tournament participation

What They Don't Fund (Implied):

• Private schools (focus is public schools)
• Non-competitive programs

Contact:

• The Richmond Forum
• 110 South 15th Street Suite B
• Richmond, VA 23219
• Office: (804) 330-3993
• Office Hours: 9am – 5pm

Organization: The Richmond Forum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization. Program partners include the National Speech and Debate Association.