The deadline for Academic All-State & Academic State Champion rosters for both Speech & Debate and Theatre programs is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18.

This extension provides additional time for schools to complete their academic rosters and ensure eligible students are recognized for their outstanding academic achievements.

In response to recent questions, ACTAA would like to clarify the GPA requirements:

• The cumulative GPA should reflect the student’s entire high school transcript,

• It must include grades through the end of the fall semester,

• It may include grades through the 3rd nine weeks if your school officially updates cumulative GPA at 3rd nine weeks.

• Roster should include all students in the program that meet the participation definition (e.g., theatre students must have had a role in at least one production during the academic year (i.e., acting, tech, props, scene design, etc.) and speech & debate students must have completed in at least two tournaments during the academic year.)

ACTAA-member sponsored Theatre programs are strongly encouraged to participate, as a separate category for Theatre Academic All-State and Academic State Champion has been established to celebrate excellence in the performing arts.

Educators are encouraged to take advantage of the extended deadline and ensure all deserving students are recognized. For more information or to submit rosters, please visit the ACTAA website or contact the organization directly.

ACTAA Academic Roster Reporting Form

Academic All-State

Academic All-State recognition is awarded to student speech & debate competitors and theatre production members who have achieved academically in addition to co-curricular activities in communication & theatre arts. ACTAA members sponsoring the program must submit a roster of the names and compatible GPA on a 4.0 scale of students active in their program. (e.g., theatre students must have had a role in at least one production during the academic year (i.e., acting, tech, props, scene design, etc.) and speech & debate students must have completed in at least two tournaments during the academic year.) Rosters are due April 15 and must be signed by the coach and appropriate principal. The top 10% of students in speech & debate and theatre of all the students reported will be recognized in each category.

Sponsors with students that meet the requirements will be provided a certificate at registration of the ASC tournament, along with All-State Speech & Debate certificates. If no representative is present at ASC, certificates will be mailed to the school.

Academic State Champion

The school with the highest average cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in speech & debate and theatre will be recognized at the ASC tournament as the Academic State Champions for their category (i.e., speech & debate or theatre).The second and third-highest average GPAs in speech & debate and theatre will be recognized as finalists for the award.

The Academic State Champions are presented a plaque similar to competition state champion recognition awarded by ACTAA at the ASC, May 2-3.