One of the main goals of the DSDI is to assist with program development—building speech and debate in new programs and strengthening those that already exist.

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Developing speech and debate programs is challenging, but digital tools can lower barriers to entry by decreasing costs and making instructional tools and professional development opportunities more widely accessible.

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The DSDI seeks to create resources to further the expansion of speech and debate programs. To do this, in cooperation with other community stakeholders, the DSDI will produce guides for starting programs, provide curricular resources such as lesson plans, demonstration videos and evidence packets to assist new schools who want to jump into speech and debate, and offer consultation and other outreach to program directors.