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

Sample Invite to State Legislator to Attend Arkansas Student Congress.
If your program is attending Arkansas Student Congress, inviting your state senator or representative to meet your team at the State Capitol is a perfect way to demonstrate to state lawmakers the real-world impact that speech and debate instruction has in schools. Below is a sample invitation letter that students can use. It is recommended that the invitation be sent both via email and traditional mail, with the correspondence coming directly from the students participating in the event. (Zackery Tucker, 2025)

Student Congress Sample Invite

Arkansas Senate Directory

Arkansas House of Representatives Directory

“Why Communication Matters” Elevator Pitch Assignment.
Students will reflect on how communication skills have shaped their growth, confidence, and success — then craft a short “elevator pitch” explaining why communication education is essential in every school.

“Why Communication Matters” Handout (Zackery Tucker, 2024)

Soft Skills in the Workforce.
Students will explore current workforce needs, identify key soft-skills gaps (listening, critical thinking, interpersonal communication), and present how skills from communication and debate classes address those gaps.

Soft Skills in the Workforce Handout (Zackery Tucker, 2024)

ASDM Google Meets Background.
Show your support for Arkansas Speech & Debate Month by add the official background to your Google Meet and help spread the word about the power of communication.

ASDM Google Meets Background

About the campaign

This year, the campaign will be focused on social media with posts being made on ACTAA's Facebook and Instagram accounts throughout the month. Each week the campaign will focus on highlighting a different audience (e.g., ACTAA historical figures, educators, former students (alumni), and current students). With opportunities for growth in activities and recognition of our students and member educators, ACTAA is excited about the potential of the Arkansas Speech & Debate Month campaign in the coming years.

ASDM Graphics & Logos

More information.
For more information about the Arkansas Speech & Debate Month campaign, please feel free to email Zackery Tucker, zatucker@asub.edu.

About the campaign

This year, the campaign will be focused on social media with posts being made on ACTAA's Facebook and Instagram accounts throughout the month. Each week the campaign will focus on highlighting a different audience (e.g., ACTAA historical figures, educators, former students (alumni), and current students). With opportunities for growth in activities and recognition of our students and member educators, ACTAA is excited about the potential of the Arkansas Speech & Debate Month campaign in the coming years.

This month's campaign schedule:
• Week one: Nov. 3-7: Arkansas Student Congress
• Week two: Nov. 10-14: Historical/ Lifetime Members
• Week three: Nov. 17-21: Educator Quotes
• Week four: Nov. 24-28: Alumni/ Student Quotes

Highlighting ACTAA's Historical/ Lifetime Members.

Week one of the campaign will highlight significant members of our association's history and their contributions to speech and debate in the state.

Highlighting Educators.

As the cornerstone of our association, ACTAA seeks to highlight the stories of our member educators and how speech & debate have transformed their lives in the classroom. We are asking you for a quote and a high-resolution photo (portrait preferred) for ACTAA to share through its Arkansas Speech & Debate Month campaign. Our goal is to highlight at least five submissions the week of Nov. 17-21. Educators can use the link below to submit content by Friday, Nov. 14. Submissions will be accepted after this priority deadline.

Educator Submission Form

Highlighting Student Stories.

Key to telling the story of speech & debate in Arkansas is telling the stories of the Arkansas students whose lives have been changed through learning, practicing, and competing in our unique activities. We are seeking student and alumni quotes and a high-resolution photo (portrait preferred) for ACTAA to share through its Arkansas Speech & Debate Month campaign. Current students, as minors, must have their parent or guardian download, sign, and upload to the form the ACTAA Media Waiver Parental Consent Form. Our goal is to highlight at least ten submissions Nov. 24-28.

Current students can use the link below to submit content by Friday, Nov. 14. Submissions will be accepted after this priority deadline:
Current Student Submission Form

Former students (alumni) can use the link below to submit content by Friday, Nov. 14. Submissions will be accepted after this priority deadline:
Former Student (Alumni) Submission Form

More information.
For more information about the Arkansas Speech & Debate Month campaign, please feel free to email Zackery Tucker, zatucker@asub.edu.