Current Issues and Events (UIL)

Current Issues and Events (commonly known as Current Events) is one of several academic events sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League. The contest began in the 1990-1991 scholastic year, and has been conducted every academic year since then except for the 2019-2020 scholastic year, when the contest, among other UIL spring events, was cancelled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas. The current state director is Bradley Wilson, PhD, a professor of mass communication at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls.

Current Events is designed to test students' knowledge and understanding of significant events which have taken place during the current school year.

Eligibility

Students in Grade 9 through Grade 12 are eligible to enter this event. All grades compete in one division.

The test covers current events which have taken place during the school year. For testing purposes, the following test ranges are implemented (2009 school year).[1]

District: Sept 1, 2008 – Feb 1, 2009

Region: Nov 1, 2008 – March 1, 2009

State: Dec 1, 2008 – April 1, 2009

Each school may send up to four students; however, in districts with more than eight schools the district executive committee can limit participation to three students per school. In order for a school to participate in team competition, the school must send at least three students.

Rules and Scoring

The test consists of two parts, a multiple choice section and an essay section.

The multiple choice section consists of 40 questions. The questions may be answered in any order; there is no penalty for skipping questions.

The essay section follows, which may include a quote or two and a prompt. The contestant must write an informative essay explaining the issue, while answering any questions in the prompt.

Both sections must be completed in one hour; students who do not attempt the essay section are immediately disqualified. No time warning is given during the test; at the end of 60 minutes contestants must cease writing.

    The multiple choice section is scored first. Contestants are given one point for each question answered correctly, with no points being deducted for incorrect answers.

    After the multiple choice section is scored, the top eight students will have their essays scored. The essays are judged based on a holistic grading criteria of ten points. The rubric can be found here

    The multiple choice section and the essay section make up the student's individual points. For the team competition, the top three individual multiple choice scores from a school are added together.

    Determining the Winner

    The top three individuals and the top team (determined based on the scores of the top three individuals) will advance to the next round. In addition, within each region, the highest-scoring second place team from all district competitions advances as the "wild card" to regional competition (provided the team has four members), and within the state, the highest-scoring second place team from all regional competitions advances as the wild card to the state competition. Members of advancing teams who did not place individually remain eligible to compete for individual awards at higher levels.

    For in individual competition; the essays of the tied contestants are judged against each other to break the tie.

    For team competition, the score of the fourth-place individual is used as the tiebreaker. If a team has only three members it is not eligible to participate in the tiebreaker. If the fourth-place score still results in a tie, the individual tiebreaker rules will not apply, and all remaining tied teams will advance.

    For district, regional, and state meet academic championship and meet sweepstakes awards, points are awarded to the school as follows:

    • Individual places: 1st—15, 2nd—12, 3rd—10, 4th—8, 5th—6, and 6th—4.
    • Team places: 1st—10 and 2nd—5.
    • The maximum number of points a school can earn in Current Issues and Events is 47.

    At the state level, though no points are awarded, the third-place team is still draped with medals and a plaque just like the second and first place teams.

    List of prior winners

    Individual

    NOTE: For privacy reasons, only the winning school is shown. [2]

    School YearClass 1AClass 2AClass 3AClass 4AClass 5AClass 6A
    (2015–present)
    1990-19911. Menard 2. Menard 3. San Isidro1. Coleman 2. Scurry Scurry-Rosser 3. Abernathy1. Rice Consolidated 2. Queen City 3. La Grange1. Kerrville Tivy 2. Burkburnett 3. Beeville Jones1. Brownsville Pace 2. Round Rock 3. Houston LeeN/A
    1991-19921. San Isidro 2. Menard 3. Lindsay1. Dublin 2. Johnson City 3. Redwater1. Crane 2. Lorena 3. Early1. Jacksonville 2. Burkburnett 3. Santa Fe1. Brownsville Pace 2. Fort Worth Dunbar 3. Pasadena: DobieN/A
    1992-19931. Menard 2. San Isidro 3. Apple Springs1. McGregor 2. Wimberley 3. Centerville1. Texarkana Pleasant Grove 2. Elgin 3. Elgin1. Longview Pine Tree 2. Jacksonville 3. Port Neches-Groves1. Grand Prairie 2. Round Rock 3. Fort Worth DunbarN/A
    1993-19941. Meadow 2. Lindsay 3. Valentine1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Centerville 3. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Gladewater Sabine 2. Port Isabel 3. La Grange1. Beeville Jones 2. College Station: A&M Consolidated 3. McKinney1. Grand Prairie 2. Fort Worth Dunbar 3. BryanN/A
    1994-19951. Byers 2. Lindsay 3. Apple Springs1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Dublin 3. Centerview1. Rusk 2. La Grange 3. Wimberley1. Friendswood 2. Port Lavaca Calhoun 3. Mesquite Poteet1. Fort Worth Dunbar 2. Atlanta 3. Fort Worth DunbarN/A
    1995-19961. Yantis 2. Cherokee 3. Utopia1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Woodsboro 3. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Teague 2. Teague 3. Austin Lake Travis1. Friendswood 2. Los Fresnos 3. McKinney1. Round Rock 2. Laredo Alexander 3. Austin JohnstonN/A
    1996-19971. Utopia 2. San Perita 3. Apple Springs1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Sadler S&S Consolidated 3. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Teague 2. Teague 3. La Grange1. Friendswood 2. Mesquite Poteet 3. West Mesquite1. Austin Johnston 2. Denton Ryan 3. Alief HastingsN/A
    1997-19981. Chillicothe 2. Knippa 3. Booker1. Valley View 2. Universal City Randolph 3. Gainesville Callisburg1. Teague 2. Wimberley 3. Teague1. Austin Johnson 2. Los Fresnos 3. Friendswood1. Katy Taylor 2. Klein 3. Fort Worth DunbarN/A
    1998-19991. Chillicothe 2. Follett 3. Menard1. Jourdanton 2. Sundown 3. Sundown1. Atlanta 2. Atlanta 3. Teague1. Fort Worth Dunbar 2. Paris 3. Los Fresnos1. Round Rock 2. Katy Taylor 3. Houston Clear LakeN/A
    1999-20001. Crosbyton 2. Harper 3. Menard1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Clyde Eula 3. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Vernon 2. Dalhart 3. Atlanta1. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff 2. Fort Worth Western Hills 3. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff1. Katy Taylor 2. Sugar Land Elkins 3. Edinburg NorthN/A
    2000-20011. Lindsay 2. Menard 3. Lindsay1. Celina 2. Comfort 3. Clifton1. Cotulla 2. Abilene Wylie 3. Atlanta1. Sulphur Springs 2. Southlake Carroll 3. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff1. College Station A&M Consolidated 2. Alief Elsik 3. PflugervilleN/A
    2001-2002Data UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableN/A
    2002-2003Data UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableN/A
    2003-20041. Martin's Mill 2. Martin's Mill 3. Hedley1. Schulenburg 2. Canadian 3. Nacogdoches Central1. Jourdanton 2. Abilene Wylie 3. Atlanta1. Castroville Medina Valley 2. Friendswood 3. El Paso1. Corpus Christi Ray 2. Alief Elsik 3. Houston HastingsN/A
    2004-20051. Apple Springs 2. Valley View 3. Borden Gail1. Gainesville Callisburg 2. Sadler S&S Consolidated 3. Jourdanton1. Abilene Wylie 2. Wimberley 3. Abilene Wylie1. El Paso 2. Castroville Medina Valley 3. Frisco1. Corpus Christi Ray 2. College Station A&M Consolidated 3. Houston HastingsN/A
    2005-20061. Hedley 2. Samnorwood 3. Latexo1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Tuscola Jim Ned 3. Holliday1. Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill 2. Canton 3. Abilene Wylie1. El Paso 2. San Antonio Alamo Heights 3. Stephenville1. College Station A&M Consolidated 2. Round Rock 3. Round RockN/A
    2006-20071. Martin's Mill 2. Lindsay 3. Apple Springs1. Tuscola Jim Ned 2. Tuscola Jim Ned 3. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Wimberley 2. Abilene Wylie 3. Monanhans1. Stephenville 2. Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill 3. Pflugerville Henderickson1. Round Rock 2. El Paso Franklin 3. Conroe Oak RidgeN/A
    2007-20081. Muenster 2. Apple Springs 3. Pineland West Sabine1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Tuscola Jim Ned 3. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Wimberley 2. Abilene Wylie 3. Eustace1. Pflugerville Hendrickson 2. Aledo 3. Stephenville1. Houston Clear Lake. 2. Katy Taylor 3. Plano Sr.N/A
    2008-20091. Latexo 2. Apple Springs 3. Nazareth1. Tuscola Jim Ned 2. Holliday 3. Tuscola Jim Ned1. Hidalgo 2. Wimberley 3. Van1. Houston Kerr 2. Frisco Wakeland 3. Aledo1. Katy Taylor 2. Spring Klein Collins 3. Katy Cinco RanchN/A
    2009-20101. Apple Springs 2. Lovelady 3. Iraan1. Holliday 2. Jim Ned Tuscola 3. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Hidalgo 2. Bellville 3. Longview Spring View1. San Antonio Alamo Heights 2. Denton 3. Aledo1. Sugar Land Dulles 2. Cypress Woods 3. Katy Seven LakesN/A
    2010-20111. Latexo 2. Martin's Mill 3. Farwell1. Vanderbilt Industrial 2. Tuscola Jim Ned 3. Tuscola Jim Ned1. Wimberley 2. Lucas Lovejoy 3. La Grange1. San Antonio Alamo Heights 2. Aledo 3. Joshua1. Katy Seven Lakes 2. Austin Westwood 3. Mercedes Science AcademyN/A
    2011-20121. Sabine Pass 2. Clyde Eula 3. Farwell1. Tolar 2. Holliday 3. Holliday1. Van 2. Fredericksburg 3. Pampa1. Ennis 2. Aledo 3. Frisco Centennial1. Plano 2. Mansfield 3. Katy Seven LakesN/A
    2012-20131. Jayton 2. Sabine Pass 3. Farwell1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Holliday 3. Holliday1. La Grange 2. La Grange 3. Tyler Chapel Hill1. Ennis 2. Pearland Dawson 3. Lubbock1. Grapevine 2. Houston Kerr 3. Austin WestwoodN/A
    2013-20141. Latexo 2. Jayton 3. Latexo1. Holliday 2. Holliday 3. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Hudson 2. Orangefeild 3. Glen Rose1. The Colony 2. Hereford 3. Lubbock1. Grapevine 2. Sugar Land Clements 3. KleinsN/A
    2014-20151. Hartley 2. Lometa 3. Channing1. Sabine Pass 2. Latexo 3. Sabine Pass1. Sadler S&S Consolidated 2. Coleman 3. Fort Worth Harmony School of Innovation1. Wimberley 2. Canton 3. Burnet1. Hereford 2. Richland Hills Birdview 3. Marble Falls1. Katy Taylor 2. Dallas Highland Park 3. Allen
    2015-20161. Waco Gholson 2. Henrietta 3. Gail Borden1. Sabine Pass 2. Era 3. Latexo1. Anahuac 2. Taft 3. Grandview1. Salado 2. Dalhart 3. Mabank1. Mansfield Lake Ridge 2. Boerne Champion 3. Boerne Champion1. Allen 2. Houston Carnegie Vanguard 3. Irving MacArthur
    2016-20171. Fort Davis 2. Tioga 3. Fayetteville1. Era 2. Weimar 3. Mason1. Grandview 2. Goliad 3. Universal City Randolph1. Dalhart 2. Princeton 3. Orange Little Cypress-Mauriceville1. Amarillo Randall 2. Mission Sharyland Pioneer 3. College Station A&M Consolidated1. Austin Lake Travis 2. Plano Sr. 3. Katy Tompkins
    2017-20181. Gail Borden 2. Tioga 3. Moulton1. Latexo 2. Sabine Pass 3. Era1. Holliday 2. Quitman 3. Lyford1. Stephenville 2. Orange Little Cypress-Mauriceville 3. China Spring1. Boerne Champion 2. Fort Worth Northwest Eaton 3. College Station A&M Consolidated1. Plano West Sr. 2. Houston Mayde Creek 3. Katy Seven Lakes
    2018-20191. Gail Borden 2. Comstock 3. Moulton1. Sabine Pass 2. Sabine Pass 3. Latexo1. Holliday 2. Corpus Christi London 3. Van Vleck1. Argyle 2. Decatur 3. China Spring1. College Station 2. College Station A&M Consolidated 3. Jacksonville1. Humble Atascocita 2. The Woodlands 3. Katy Seven Lakes
    2019-2020Event CancelledEvent CancelledEvent CancelledEvent CancelledEvent CancelledEvent Cancelled

    Team

    INDEX: 1. State Gold Medalist Team Team[3]

    School YearClass 1AClass 2AClass 3AClass 4AClass 5AClass 6A
    (2015–present)
    1990-19911. Menard1. Coleman1. La Grange1. Burkburnett1. Round RockN/A
    1991-19921. Lindsay1. Woodsboro1. Dalhart1. Dallas Highland Park1. Brownsville PaceN/A
    1992-19931. Menard1. Wimberley1. Elgin1. Jacksonville1. Round RockN/A
    1993-19941. Lindsay1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. White Oak1. McKinney1. BryanN/A
    1994-19951. (tie) Apple Springs/Lindsay1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. (tie) Wimberley/La Grange1. Friendswood1. Fort Worth DunbarN/A
    1995-19961. Lindsay1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Teague1. Friendswood1. Laredo AlexanderN/A
    1996-19971. (tie) Apple Springs/Texline1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Teague1. Friendswood1. Edinburg NorthN/A
    1997-19981. Rotan1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Teague1. Friendswood1. Sugar Land ElkinsN/A
    1998-19991. Menard1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Atlanta1. Fort Worth Dunbar1. Round RockN/A
    1999-20001. Crosbyton1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Teague1. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff1. College Station A&M ConsolidatedN/A
    2000-20011. Lindsay1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Abilene Wylie1. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff1. Edinburg EconomedesN/A
    2001-2002Data UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableN/A
    2002-2003Data UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableData UnavailableN/A
    2003-20041. Martin's Mill1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Jourdanton1. Castroville Medina Valley1. Austin WestlakeN/A
    2004-20051. Apple Springs1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Abilene Wylie1. Castroville Medina Valley1. College Station A&M ConsolidatedN/A
    2005-20061. Apple Springs1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Abilene Wylie1. Stephenville1. Round RockN/A
    2006-20071. Martin's Mill1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Abilene Wylie1. Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill1. Round RockN/A
    2007-20081. Apple Springs1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Abilene Wylie1. Pflugerville Hendrickson1. Houston Clear LakeN/A
    2008-20091. Apple Springs1. Jim Ned Tuscola1. Hidalgo1. Aledo1. Katy TaylorN/A
    2009-20101. Latexo1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Hidalgo1. Aledo1. Katy Seven LakesN/A
    2010-20111. Latexo1. Tuscola Jim Ned1. Van1. San Antonio Alamo Heights1. Katy Seven LakesN/A
    2012-20131. Sabine Pass1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. La Grange1. Austin Vandegrift1. College Station A&M ConsolidatedN/A
    2013-20141. Latexo1. Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Orangefield1. Friendswood1. College Station A&M ConsolidatedN/A
    2014-20151. Comstock1. Sabine Pass1. ( tie ) Fort Worth Harmony School of Innovation/ Sadler S&S Consolidated1. Wimberley1. College Station A&M Consolidated1. MacArthur
    2015-20161. (tie) Gail Borden/Comstock1. Latexo1. Brady1. Salado1. (tie) College Station A&M Consolidated/Boerne Champion1. Irving MacAuthur
    2016-20171. Tioga1. Mason1. Goliad1. Orange Little Cypress-Mauriceville1. College Station A&M Consolidated1. Irving MacAuthur
    2017-20181. Gail Borden1. Sabine Pass1. Holliday1. Burnet1. Boerne Champion1. San Antonio Johnson
    2018-20191. Gail Borden1. Sabine Pass1. Holliday1. Wimberley1. College Station A&M Consolidated1. Katy Seven Lakes
    2019-2020Event CancelledEvent CancelledEvent CancelledEvent CancelledEvent CancelledEvent Cancelled

    References

    1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-04-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    2. https://www.uiltexas.org/historical-archives/academics/archives/
    3. UIL: Academics - Archives Archived July 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
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