Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the winner of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate at the upcoming Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championship will receive a $50,000 scholarship and a trophy named in honor of Charlie Kirk. The runner-up will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship, with two semifinalists each receiving $15,000 and four quarterfinalists each getting $10,000.
“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.”
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas stated: “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. 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.”
The scholarships are funded by philanthropist Patricia Duggan from Clearwater with a ten-year pledge. These funds are matched by the Florida Prepaid Foundation. Additionally, both the winner and runner-up will receive invitations from the Ronald Reagan Foundation to attend the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California.
The FCDI State Championship is scheduled for April 5, 2026 at New College of Florida in Sarasota. Thousands of students participate statewide through FCDI teams established in all 67 school districts. Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership since 2020, FCDI has grown from 59 teams in 11 districts to over 330 teams across every district in Florida.
This year alone, students are expected to compete in more than 30 tournaments as part of their civics education experience.
Florida’s efforts also include introducing a civic literacy assessment for high school government courses starting with the 2021-2022 academic year; requiring postsecondary students entering state colleges or universities from 2018-19 onward to demonstrate civic literacy competency; revising K-12 civics standards with full implementation beginning in 2023-24; creating rigorous teacher training aligned with these standards; developing an updated K-12 curriculum available as either primary or supplemental material starting this academic year; integrating civics instruction across subjects; and providing ongoing support through regional directors and coaches who offer professional development for educators.
