Five Resolutions Advance to Final Ballot for 2027-28 National Policy Debate Topic

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has announced the five resolutions advancing to the final ballot for the 2027–28 National High School Policy Debate Topic, following deliberations at the annual Policy Debate Topic Selection Meeting held in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Each year, the NFHS brings together educators, coaches and state association representatives to evaluate, discuss and refine a list of proposed debate topics with the potential for national implementation. This year’s meeting focused on issues relevant to international policy concerns, with the following five topics emerging as finalists: 

·       China

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its negotiations toward an agreement with the People's Republic of China in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence governance, climate change, global health security, outer space.​

The U.S.-China relationship will shape global affairs for decades, making this a timely and highly educational debate topic. Students would examine whether formal diplomacy can still produce durable agreements between open strategic rivals in areas where there is clear tension, balancing opportunities for cooperation against concerns about competition, security and trust.

·       East and Northeast Africa

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with one or more of the following: Arab Republic of Egypt, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, State of Libya.

Debates on this topic would examine whether increased U.S. economic or diplomatic engagement can promote peace, stability, and development or whether it risks intensifying regional tensions and great-power competition.  This resolution provides an avenue for students to explore a region facing significant humanitarian, political, and security challenges.

·       Latin America

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with one or more of the following: Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela.
This resolution invites students to explore the future of U.S. relationships with its closest neighbors at a time of significant political and economic change in the region. Debates would examine whether expanded economic or diplomatic engagement can address issues such as migration, trade, energy, security and democratic governance while weighing concerns about sovereignty, regional influence and the role of U.S. foreign policy.

·       Military Presence

Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly reduce its military presence in the Gulf Arab States and/or Northeast Asia.​

This topic asks students to evaluate one of the central questions of modern U.S. foreign policy: whether maintaining military forces overseas strengthens or weakens national and global security. Debaters would weigh deterrence, alliance commitments and crisis response against concerns about escalation, defense spending, human rights and the long-term consequences of America's global military posture.

·       Nuclear Arms Control

Resolved: The United States federal government should negotiate and implement binding international nuclear arms control.​
As nations modernize their nuclear arsenals and longstanding arms control agreements expire, this resolution places students at the center of one of the world's most consequential security debates. Students would evaluate whether binding international agreements can reduce nuclear risks or whether deterrence, verification challenges and geopolitical rivalry make such commitments ineffective or counterproductive.

“Any of these final five topics will prove to be engaging and educationally valuable for students involved in policy debate,” said Chris Paulson, NFHS director of performing arts and sports. “We are thrilled that students across the country will have an opportunity to connect with such critical issues in international public policy. We are equally excited to support opportunities for students to develop research, advocacy and critical-thinking skills in the process.” 

State and national associations will vote on the final topic ballot later this fall. The selected resolution will be announced in early January 2027 and will be used as the National High School Policy Debate Topic for the 2027–28 school year. 

For more information on the Policy Debate Topic Selection Process, visit: https://www.nfhs.org/