The November Public forum update on failed states is available here. Given the number of debates involving climate change and terrorism, you may wish to download the Climate Strategy Guide, the terrorism answers, and the terrorism impact files.

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Download the evidence file

Resolved: That merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools.

Introduction

The December Public Forum resolution asks a straight-forward question: Should merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools?

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The December PF release on merit pay is available here.

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Resolved: That merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools.

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The update file is available here.

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Resolved: Failed nations are a greater threat to the United States than stable nations.

The November Public Forum resolution asks whether or not U.S. security is more greatly enhanced by the collapse of other governments or stable governments.

This resolution has three things going in its favor:

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By Stefan Bauschard [October brief set] [September brief set]

Also, the following files are available to all Public Forum ($159/year) subscribers: climate impacts, climate science true, climate theory neg, climate master file, permits affirmative

When they conflict, the United Nations should prioritize global poverty reduction over environmental protection.

Introduction

The October Public Forum topic is wrapped around another excellent resolution.

First, the resolution clearly establishes ground for both sides. One side gets arguments in favor of poverty reduction and the other in favor of environmental protection.

Second, as far as I can discern, the resolution eliminates the possibility of one side presenting a counterplan.  Although I first thought that it was possible for one side to argue for either poverty reduction or environmental protection AND argue that they two should not conflict – that one should be pursued in a way that does not conflict with the other --  the resolution says “when they conflict,” making any such counterplan/counterproposal irrelevant to the question at hand.

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Resolved: United States policy on illegal immigration should focus on attrition through enforcement rather than amnesty.

Our full September 2009 release will be available Monday afternoon.

Resources available now (8/15) that can be purchased individually and are included with the subscription: Research links (subscription only), Immigration good/bad impact file, April 05 Immigration PF release.

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Resolved: That the United States should normalize relations with Cuba.

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Resolved: That the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 serves the best interest of the American people.

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2008-9

September

Resolved: That the United States should implement a military draft.

October

Resolved: The United States should significantly increase its use of nuclear energy.

November

Resolved: That the United States government should implement universal health care modeled after the French system.

December

Resolved: That, on balance, social networking Web sites have a positive impact on the United States.

January

Resolved: In a democracy, civil disobedience is an appropriate weapon in the fight for justice.

February

Resolved: That, on balance, the rise of Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) has had a positive impact on the United States.

March

Resolved: That, on balance, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 has improved academic achievement in the United States.

April

Resolved: That the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 serves the best interest of the American people.

NCFL Nationals

Resolved:  A society has an obligation to ensure adequate health care for its citizens.

2007-8

September

Resolved: That the Fairness Doctrine should be reinstated.

October

Resolved: That the United States should encourage the
implementation of a soft partition of Iraq.

November

Resolved: That eliminating United States government budget deficits should be prioritized over increasing domestic spending.

December

Resolved: That the United States would be justified in pursuing military options against Iran.

January

Resolved: In a democracy, civil disobedience is an appropriate weapon in the fight for justice.

February

Resolved: That Russia has become a threat to U. S. interests.

March

Resolved: The US system of presidential primaries is contrary to democratic values.

April

Resolved: That the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 will successfully mitigate economic slowdowns over the next year.

May National Tournament PF Debate Topic

Resolved: US policies established after September 11, 2001 have substantially reduced the risk of terrorist acts against the United States.

2006-7

September

Resolved: That the benefits of NASA's space exploration
programs justify the costs.

October 

Resolved: Current immigration laws in the United States should be enforced.

November 

Resolved: That participating in multinational diplomatic efforts
is beneficial to U.S. interests.

December

Resolved: Colleges and Universities in the United States should end their early admission programs.

January

Resolved: That lobbyists negatively influence the legislative process in the United States.

February

Resolved: The costs of legalized casino gambling in the United States outweigh the benefits.

March

Resolved: That the quantity of credit available to American consumers should be significantly reduced.

April

Resolved: United States corporations should honor all prior commitments to employee pensions.

May 2007 (National Topic)

Resolved: That the private ownership of handguns should be banned in the United States.

2005-6

September

Resolved: In the United States, colleges and universities should be permitted to pay stipends to their Division I athletes.

October

Resolved: That the United Nations should be the primary agent to lead and direct the fight against terrorism around the world.

November

Resolved: That the United States federal government should fund Hurricane Katrina relief and rebuilding by ending President Bush's tax cuts.

December

Resolved: That the National Basketball Association (NBA) should rescind its dress code.

January

Resolved: In the United States, public high school science curriculum should include the study of the Theory of Intelligent Design.

February

Resolved: That the policy decisions of the current Israeli government toward the Palestinian state have improved prospects for peace in the Middle East.

March

Resolved: That big box retailers benefit the communities in which they are locaed.

April

Resolved: That the American media work against the best interest of the American public.

May (National Topic)

Resolved: That the United States government should ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

2004-5

September

Resolved: That the United States should establish a cabinet- level position to oversee its entire intelligence community.

October

Resolved: In the United States, public opinion polls positively affect the election process.

November

Resolved: The United States government should allow Americans to purchase prescription drugs from other countries.

December

Resolved: Corporate offshoring aids in the economic development of the United States.

January

Resolved: The United States Constitution should be amended to establish a mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices.

February

Resolved: In the United States, the current system of federal income taxation should be replaced by a flat rate income tax.

March

Resolved: Student aptitude should be assessed through standardized testing.

April

Resolved: The United States should issue guest worker visas to illegal aliens.

May, 2005 (National Topic)

Resolved: That, when a choice is required for public high schools in the United States, government funding should prioritize vocational education over college preparatory education.

2003-4

September

Resolved: Use of a cell phone should be prohibited while operating a motor vehicle.

October

Resolved: That the United States should comply with United Nations' decisions concerning international peacekeeping operations.

November

Resolved: That Federal judges should be elected in their district for a limited term rather than appointed by the President for a life term.

December

Resolved: That Congress should repeal the No Child Left Behind Act.

January

Resolved: The United States is losing the War on Terror.

February

Resolved: Americans should be allowed to share copyrighted media over the internet.

March

Resolved: The United States should provide universal health insurance to all U. S. citizens.

April

Resolved: English should be the official national language of the United States.

May

Resolved: All young adults in every nation should be required to perform at least one full year of national service.

2002-3

October/November

Resolved: Commercial airline pilots should be armed in the cockpit.

December

Resolved: That the "Bush" tax cuts should be made permanent.

January

Resolved: The Federal Government should authorize oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve.

February

Resolved: The death penalty should be abolished in America.

March

Resolved: Affirmative action should not be practiced in college and university admission.

April
Resolved: Awards for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases should be limited to $250,000.

May

Resolved: That the United States should assume primary responsibility for the rebuilding of Iraq.

June (National Topic)

Resolved: That the United States should assume primary responsibility for the rebuilding of Iraq.

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