Current Issues and Events
State contest director
David Garlock
garlock@utexas.edu
Recommended Sites and Sources
Suggestions for CI&E Coaches
Sample Test & Key
(Based on past year's events and news)
Integrating Current Issues and Events into Classroom Instruction
Elements of the Contest
The Current Issues and Events Contest focuses on a basic knowledge of current state, national and world events/issues and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and one essay. The essay is intended to assess the competitor's ability to synthesize and evaluate information and present it in an informed manner.
Current Issues and Events Overview Video
Additional Information
Topics
The multiple choice test and the essay will cover important domestic and international issues, events, and personalities. Topics tend to (but do not always) fall in to the following categories:
- War & Conflict
- International
- Domestic
- Economics
- Science / Technology / Environment
- Education / Awards / Honors / Media / Deaths
- Texas
Questions will be drawn from events occurring in the following date ranges:
- Invitational: Sept 1 - Jan 1
- District: Sept 1 - Feb 1
- Region: Nov 1 - March 15
- State: Dec 1 - April 15
Scoring
The multiple choice test is worth 40 points total; the essay is worth 10 points total. The competitor with highest combined score (multiple choice + essay) will be the winner. For a more specific discussion of the scoring, please see the Constitution and Contest Rules.
UIL Regional and State Qualifiers
Remember, if your team or any individual cannot advance for any reason, it is your responsibility to notify the contest officials of the next higher meet as well as the alternate school of your inability to advance.
