For more than fifty years prior to 1977, the National University Continuing Education Association (NUCEA) hosted the national high school cross-examination topic selection process. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) became involved in the selection process in 1977. From 1977 to 1982 the selection process was sponsored jointly with the NUCEA and the NFHS. In 1983, the NUCEA ceased their involvement with the topic selection process and the NFHS assumed sole responsibility.
The NFHS hosts the annual meeting to determine the debate topic ballot choices in the first weekend in August. This meeting is held in various locations from year to year. For more information on the topic selection process, click here.
August 3-5, 2018
The Davenport Grand - Spokane, Washington
333 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 458-3330
Book your group rate for NFHS Policy Debate Topic Selection Meeting
**Hotel Reservations must be received by July 2, 2018
Topic Reports expected:
Proposed Topic | Author |
Increasing USFG Support of Multilateral Institutions (NATO, UN and others) | Authored |
Epidemics & Disease Vectors | Authored |
Water Access | Authored |
Iran/Afghanistan/Pakistan | Authored |
Arctic/Arctic Council | Authored |
Africa | Authored |
Human Trafficking | Authored |
Treaties | Authored |
Middle East Policy | Authored |
Arms Sales/Export Controls | Authored |
Cryptocurrencies | Authored |
Presidential Power over Foreign Policy | Authored |
India | Authored |
Reducing the Role of Weapons of Mass Destruction | Authored |
Supreme Court and Foreign Policy | Authored |
Refugees/Displaced Populations | |
Russia | |
Counter-terrorism Strategies | |
Human Rights abuses in Middle Eastern Ally Countries | |
Bio Diversity | |
Global Migration |
Note: For additional information/details regarding this meeting, please contact Angela Hays at the NFHS.
Informational Documents Related to Topic Selection (in PDF format):
Criteria for Debate Topics
Guidelines for Report Author
International Topic Rationale
Past Debate Topic Resolutions
Process for Selecting Topic
Topic Selection Report Process
Potential Wording of Debate Topics
Utilizing Definitions
Meeting Materials
Topic Selection Meeting Agenda
Delegate and Alternates
Marshall Subcommittees
2018-2019 Potential resolutions
2018-19 Topic Selection Meeting 1st Ballot
2018-19 Topic Selection Meeting 2nd Ballot
2018-19 Topic Selection Meeting 3rd Ballot