Arkansas House Bill HR1039

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/6/23
• Refer: 3/6/23
• Report Pass: 3/8/23
• Passed: 3/28/23

Caption

To Proclaim March As National Speech And Debate Education Month In Arkansas.

Impact

The resolution emphasizes the importance of integrating speech and debate education within the school curriculum. By officially designating March as a month dedicated to promoting these practices, it encourages educational institutions to prioritize these subjects, thereby enhancing students' ability to express complex ideas coherently and engage constructively in discussions. This proclamation could facilitate more events, competitions, and programs dedicated to these skills, fostering a culture that values articulate public discourse and thoughtful advocacy.

Summary

House Resolution 1039 aims to proclaim March as National Speech and Debate Education Month in Arkansas. This initiative is established in conjunction with the National Speech & Debate Association, intended to promote better instructional practices in speech and debate across all educational levels. It recognizes the significant role that speech and debate skills play in fostering effective communication, critical thinking, and collaboration among students, benefitting them not only in their academic careers but throughout their lives as well.

Contention

While there appears to be broad support for emphasizing speech and debate education, there may be underlying tensions regarding funding and resource allocation for such programs. Some stakeholders could argue that certain schools might struggle to implement extensive debate and speech education initiatives due to a lack of resources or trained faculty. Moreover, the focus on standardized educational curricula could lead to debates over whether additional programs will distract from core subjects and testing requirements.