For parents
Should my kid do debate?
Competitive debate builds confidence, research skills and college-ready communication. This page covers what you need to support your debater or help them get started.
Why students love PF debate
- Real topics from the news instead of made-up scenarios
- Working with a partner in every round
- Tournaments that feel like real competitions
- Skills that carry into every other class
DebateTrack is a free place to start, with topic analysis, a full PF course and practice tools made by championship coaches at Civic Debate Academy. If you want live instruction later, our coaching programs are one click away.
How to judge a PF round
Most PF judges are lay volunteers, which is what the event was designed for. Listen for which team explained their arguments clearly, answered the other side and told you why they win. Read our lay judge glossary entry and run the Judge Translator drill with your student so they learn to speak to judges like you as well as to coaches.
Where to start
- Step 1
Learn the basics
Read what PF is and watch the first PF Essentials lessons together.
Go - Step 2
Read the current topic hub
Each topic hub explains the resolution in plain English and answers common questions.
Go - Step 3
Practice at home
Use the round timer and flow pad. There’s no signup.
Go - Step 4
Optional: live coaching
CDA classes, PF Boot Camp and the National Debate Club travel team.
Go
Common questions
What is competitive speech and debate?
Students research real-world topics, give timed speeches and respond to opponents in structured rounds. Public Forum is the most popular high school format, with two-person teams, monthly resolutions and judges who are often community volunteers.
Why Public Forum instead of other formats?
PF uses everyday language and current-events topics. Students build research, public speaking and critical thinking skills without first spending years learning technical jargon. Many start in PF before trying Lincoln-Douglas or speech events.
How much time does debate take?
School teams often meet two or three afternoons a week, and tournaments are usually on Saturdays. Travel teams may take more time. Students can prep at home on DebateTrack with free topic guides, a full course and drills.
How much does it cost?
DebateTrack is free forever. School teams may charge activity fees, and tournaments have entry costs. If you want live instruction, Civic Debate Academy offers optional coaching and Public Forum Boot Camp runs summer camps.
How do I judge my child’s round?
Listen for clear explanations, respectful crossfire and a reason to pick one side. You don’t need to track every argument. Vote for the team that did the best job explaining why their impacts matter more. The Judge Translator drill on DebateTrack is good practice.
Where should my child start?
Start with PF Essentials, a free self-guided course on DebateTrack. Then read the current topic hub, run practice rounds with the timer and flow pad, and look at CDA classes once they want live feedback.