Founding documents, living debate
The Tournament
One day, eight events, three levels of school — commemorating the 250th anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the U.S. Constitution (1787). Students compete; parents, educators, and civic leaders are invited to observe and judge.
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. · Ballantine Hall, Indiana University Bloomington. Entry fees are waived through the generous support of The Walter Center for Career Achievement; food and beverages are complimentary courtesy of community partners. No prior debate experience is needed for the novice divisions.
Divisions & events
| Division | Events | Rules & resources |
|---|---|---|
| Middle School — Novice | Congressional Debate | Novice-friendly format; full free resources at the Congressional Debate site |
| High School — Novice | Congressional Debate; Public Forum; World Schools; Lincoln-Douglas; Policy | Novice Congress uses the novice-friendly format (resources); all other events follow ISSDA rules |
| High School — Varsity | Congressional Debate; Public Forum; World Schools; Lincoln-Douglas; Policy | All Varsity events follow standard ISSDA rules and procedures |
| College — Novice | Constitutional Convention Debate; Policy Debate | Constitutional Convention is a new, novice-built event (resources); Policy follows NDT/CEDA college rules |
All Indiana middle-school and high-school students are eligible, including students enrolled in private schools or homeschooled. The College division is primarily intended for IU Bloomington students but open to others on a case-by-case basis.
The shape of the day
Registration and check-in run 8:00–8:30 a.m. (every adult entering the building must bring a government-issued photo ID), followed by a welcome and orientation for students, families, and judges. Most two-team events debate four rounds; Congressional Debate and Constitutional Convention meet in extended sessions. A Founding Documents Forum in the late afternoon offers remarks and Q&A with invited legislators, educators, and civic leaders while final rounds conclude. Awards run 5:00–6:00 p.m.: premium awards for top finishers in each division, a commemorative keepsake for every participant, and team sweepstakes awards for schools (divisions: Middle School; High School: Novice Congress; High School: All Debate). The full grid is on the Schedule page.
Judges make it possible
Every event needs judges, and no debate background is required for the novice divisions — parents, teachers, and college-age or older siblings are all welcome, and chaperones may double as judges. Each school team should bring one judge for every four students entered. Judges check in at 8:00 a.m. with a government-issued photo ID and attend the 8:30 judges’ meeting; balloting is electronic through SpeechWire, with a paper option. Event-specific judge guidance is on the Events & Rules page, and the Novice Congress Judge Guide is a friendly first read for any new judge.
Registration & key dates
- August 10 — Registration opens via SpeechWire.com.
- September 10, 5 p.m. — Registration deadline (entries; names of students and judges; a cell number and email for each teacher, student, and judge).
- October 5, 5 p.m. — Add/drop deadline via SpeechWire.com.
- October 10, 6 a.m. — Final drop deadline (via SpeechWire until October 9 at 10 p.m.; after that, text 812-269-2710 and/or email [email protected]).
Teachers bringing school teams: the For Teachers guide has the full timeline, the judge expectations, and the drop policy in detail.
Updates & free resources
Free, novice-friendly training resources are posted for Congressional Debate and Constitutional Convention Debate. Final schedules, room assignments, and parking directions will be posted by early October.