Oral Communication is an essential discipline taught by Oral Communication Professionals.
The State of Arkansas and the Arkansas Department of education support and affirm the continued teaching of oral communication in all Junior High Schools and Senior High Schools by specifically trained and tested oral communication professionals. (adopted September 2012, updated September 2014)

Oral Communication Position Statement

The Oral Communication course is a critical component of the curriculum and should meet the learning outcomes recommended by the National Communication Association.
The goal of this oral communication course is to address the dynamic of effective communication including a foundational understanding and participation in expressing and presenting information in formal and informal settings.(adopted 2004)

Oral Communication Academic Standards Statement

Professional & Ethical Standards of Conduct.
ACTAA is committed to promoting ethical and rational communication behavior as an important part of its activity, maintaining a deep respect for freedom of expression. All ACTAA participants should recognize the rights of others and communicate with respect for opponents, colleagues, critics, tournament hosts, and audience members. Communication that engenders ill-will and disrespect ultimately reduces the utility of our activity for all who participate and should, therefore, be avoided. As a result, the Board of Directors has adopted a set of Professional & Ethical Standards of Conduct that outline the collective expectation of the participants of this learning community, namely; civility, ethical behavior, inclusion, & respect.

ACTAA Professional & Ethical Standards of Conduct (adopted February, 2024)

ACTAA opposes discrimination and indoctrination in any form.
ACTAA agrees with the Arkansas Legislature that discrimination and indoctrination should not be tolerated in the classroom. Additionally, ACTAA believes nothing inherently in the activities of speech, debate, and acting is discriminatory or indoctrination. (adopted September 2023)

Statement on Discrimination & Indoctrination

None at this time.

Guidance on Discrimination and Indoctrination in Expressive-based Courses or Activities in Arkansas.
This document was prepared by Zackery Tucker (ACTAA 1st Vice President) in response to questions from members of the speech, debate, and acting community in Arkansas following the implementation of Act 237 of 2023 (Arkansas L.E.A.R.N.S. Act). It is not the intent of this document to oppose Arkansas law or help teachers of speech, debate, and acting circumvent the law. The document is intended to simply answer questions and make recommendations to the community of educators to ensure compliance with Arkansas law in these expressive-based courses & activities. Although ACTAA has not endorsed this document, ACTAA Board of Directors has adopted a statement on discrimination and indoctrination. As a position, ACTAA agrees with the Arkansas Legislature that discrimination and indoctrination should not be tolerated in the classroom. Additionally, ACTAA believes nothing inherently in the activities of speech, debate, and acting is discriminatory or indoctrination

Guidance on Discrimination & Indoctrination (published September 2023)