Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament 2026

WSD Prepared Motions

In-Person Division:

R1-2:This House supports detracking in K–8 public education in the United States.

R5:This House supports the increasing outsourcing of government services to non-profit organizations.

Info Slide:Governments increasingly fund, contract, or formally partner with non-profit or charitable organizations to provide services that the state would otherwise be responsible for delivering. Examples include housing assistance, education or training programs, healthcare access, refugee resettlement, or social welfare support.

Finals:In the United States, this House prefers the delegation of non-military executive decision-making authority to independent technocratic bodies over direct control by elected executives.

Info Slide:“Independent technocratic bodies” refer to institutions run by experts rather than elected officials, and which operate with independence from direct political control. Examples may include central banks, independent regulatory agencies, public health authorities, electoral commissions, or fiscal oversight bodies.

Online Event (same prepared motions - different impromptu motions)

R1-2:This House supports detracking in K–8 public education in the United States.

R4:This House supports the increasing outsourcing of government services to non-profit organizations.

Finals:In the United States, this House prefers the delegation of non-military executive decision-making authority to independent technocratic bodies over direct control by elected executives.

Info Slide: “Independent technocratic bodies” refer to institutions run by experts rather than elected officials, and which operate with independence from direct political control. Examples may include central banks, independent regulatory agencies, public health authorities, electoral commissions, or fiscal oversight bodies.