October 27, 2025
Governor’s Press Office
850-717-9282
New College of Florida to Host Prestigious Civics and Debate Championship
Top prize at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate includes a $50,000 scholarship and a special Charlie Kirk trophy
Sarasota, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championship will feature the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate. The champion will receive $50,000 and a trophy dedicated to Charlie Kirk, highlighting the importance of civil discourse. Scholarships of $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 will be awarded to the runner-up, semifinalists, and quarterfinalists, respectively.
“We have worked hard by to make Florida the national model for civics education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative reflects our commitment to fostering students’ appreciation for America’s founding principles. The champion of the next FCDI state championship will take home the Charlie Kirk prize, renamed in honor of a young man who embodied the principles of patriotism, civil discourse, and open debate. The generous scholarship awards for the winner and other top competitors will be a great memorial to Kirk’s legacy”
“Florida is modeling for the nation the impact of comprehensive civics education. With the addition of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate into FCDI, students have even more opportunities to showcase their civics knowledge while engaging in respectful discourse,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Through FCDI and the Civics Literacy Excellence Initiatives, we are ensuring the next generation understands our founding principles and is equipped to preserve them through active civic participation.”
These scholarships are funded by Patricia Duggan of Clearwater, with a decade-long commitment to supporting the initiative. The Florida Prepaid Foundation matches these funds, amplifying their benefits. Additionally, the Ronald Reagan Foundation will extend invitations to the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California to both the winner and runner-up.
The FCDI State Championship is slated for April 5, 2026, at New College of Florida in Sarasota. FCDI has been instrumental in engaging students statewide in meaningful debate and reasoning exercises, promoting the civic virtues necessary for sustaining a constitutional republic. The initiative has grown significantly, with teams now present in all 67 school districts under Governor DeSantis’ leadership.
From just 59 teams across 11 districts in 2020, FCDI has expanded to over 330 teams, including more than 125 new teams. This year, students will participate in over 30 tournaments, enhancing their understanding of civics through debate.
Florida’s Civics Literacy Excellence Initiative
Florida continues to spearhead civics education nationwide through several key initiatives implemented by Governor DeSantis:
- Launching a civic literacy assessment for high school students in the United States Government course starting in the 2021-2022 academic year.
- Mandating civic literacy proficiency for all postsecondary students entering Florida College System institutions or state universities from the 2018-19 academic year onward.
- Updating Civics and Government standards for comprehensive K-12 instruction, with full implementation in the 2023-24 school year.
- Introducing the Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement to align with the revised academic standards.
- Developing a K-12 Civics curriculum to serve as either a main or supplementary instructional resource, available from the 2023-24 school year.
- Integrating civics education across all subjects with the new K-12 Civics curriculum.
- Providing extensive civic literacy support via Regional Civics Literacy Directors and Coaches, offering personalized coaching and professional development for educators.
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