PAIR

We conduct equity research through surveys and publishing anonymous community data. We also maintain an online presence, creating content to inform the Speech & Debate community on equity issues, current events, ways to get involved, and PAIR's progress as an organization.

This may take the form of advocating for  a more diverse pool of judges within local, state, or district tournaments - espically for elimination rounds.

Through attending PHSSL Board Meetings/Town Halls, we also publish summarizing and easy-to-access resources & information for the PA speech and debate community.

We believe in providing the PA speech and debate community with both competitive and equity resources. This entails providing resources for competitors in underprivileged areas and in general, helping raise awareness and funds for low-income families and school districts, providing resources for judging equitably, and more. 

All of our resources are completely free and open to the public.

We plan to provide debate workshops on progressive debating and philosophy heavy argumentation.

Through our online presence, we consistently gather stories regarding speech and debate (and more specifically, experiences with equity) from the PA Forensics community. We publish these continually on both our website and Instagram, in hopes of spreading awareness and amplifying voices of each and every competitor.

In addition, we are creating a network for a more united and equitable Pennsylvania Speech League, where schools adopt supportive environments for students across all of Pennsylvania.

We are not affiliated with, but involved in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL). We facilitate community discussions for PA speech & debaters to speak about current equity climate, foster community, and advocate for equitable policies via collaboration with PHSSL.

This may come in the form of advocating for requirements for more accessible competition buildings, schools, and venues; pushing for diversity requirements, and more.

By gathering qualitative community data for PHSSL in order to influence policy decisions, we hope to bridge the gap in communication between PHSSL and Speech & Debate members.