A quick guide to this year's changes and updates, from a redesigned competitive events rubric to new campaign and certification requirements. For full details, refer to the 2026-2027 DECA Guide and deca.org/compete.
Watch the 2026-2027 Program Update from the Virtual Advisor Professional Learning Conference for more information on these changes and updates.
1. New Competitive Events Rubric
DECA has implemented updated evaluation forms for every competitive event. Every rubric now uses the same four levels of evaluation: Novice, Developing, Proficient and Exemplary. The levels of evaluation give judges specific “look-fors” for each level. Check out pages 40-41 of the DECA Guide for the definitions.
2. Career Competencies Replace 21st Century Skills
Rubrics now evaluate Career Competencies instead of 21st Century Skills, aligning DECA's evaluation language with Advance CTE's Career Ready Practices.
3. Role Plays and Case Studies Have a New “Solution” Category
Role plays and case study scenarios now include a dedicated Solution category that weighs originality and problem-solving. Participants are scored on whether their solution is unique (or accurate for those finance events requiring calculations), practical and effective. Sample role-plays and case studies have been updated with the new rubrics on deca.org/compete.
4. Prepared Events Are Now a 50/50 Split
For 20-page written-entry prepared events, written and presentation scores now follow a consistent 50/50 split: 100 points for the written entry and 100 points for the presentation, for a total of 200 points. Some outlines have also been updated. Check out the DECA Guide for the new outlines and rubrics for each prepared event.
Update: The International Business Plan (IBP) outline in the competitive event guidelines has been slightly adjusted to better align with the rubric. Advisors should reference the electronic version of the DECA Guide or deca.org/compete for the revised IBP Guidelines before competitors begin their written entries.
5. Presentations Are Judged on Technique, Not Just Content
Presentation Evaluation Forms now include a standardized presentation technique section covering five things: organization, effectiveness/persuasion, delivery, design and overall impression.
6. Team Decision Making Case Study Performance Indicators
Team Decision Making case study events now use five performance indicators instead of seven. Individual Series events remain at five, Principles of Business Administration events are four, and Personal Financial Literacy at three.
7. There's a New $25 SBE Application Fee
A non-refundable $25 application fee is now required for each submission to the School-Based Enterprise Certification Program. An invoice is generated automatically upon online submission and emailed to the chapter advisor. Payment must be received to complete Gold Certification or Gold Re-Certification. Gold certification and gold re-certification projects are due Thursday, January 14, 2027.
8. Adobe Express Is Now Required for Chapter Campaigns
Chapters must use Adobe Express as part of their Chapter Campaigns submissions for 2026-2027. For the Promotional Campaign, Adobe Express must be used for one outreach activity, and for the Community Service Campaign, for the chapter's form of publicity or promotion. Chapters will be required to upload a screenshot of Adobe Express showing the required items when submitting the campaign. Adobe Express for Education is free for all DECA chapters. Need ideas? Check out DECA’s Brand Resource Center for easy-to-remix templates in Adobe Express. Chapter Campaigns and the Membership Campaign are due December 1, 2026. If you have questions about Adobe Express for Education, reach out to education@deca.org.
9. Classroom Guides Connect Competition to Curriculum
- The Business Operations Research Classroom Guide breaks the Business Operations Research into seven units with teacher and student versions so advisors can turn the competitive event into a project every student completes.
- The Integrated Marketing Campaign Resource Guide, developed in collaboration with Adobe, provides students with a professional-grade framework (plus a classroom teaching deck) for developing and pitching insight-driven marketing campaigns.
10. Advisor Resource Center
Need a classroom activity, competition guide or membership resource? The Advisor Resource Center houses DECA's classroom, competition and numerous other resources in one searchable hub, so advisors can find exactly what they need without digging through multiple pages.
11. Advisor Professional Development On-Demand Videos
Looking to grow your skills as an advisor? With over 100 on-demand videos available from past Virtual Advisor Professional Learning Conferences, advisors can access training on the topics they need, whenever it works for their schedule at the Advisor Resource Center. Filter to show the on-demand videos by clicking on Advisor Professional Learning under the category.
12. Members Can Earn an Industry-Recognized AMA Certification
DECA members who score 70% or higher on the DECA Marketing Cluster Exam at their association conference or International Career Development Conference (ICDC) are eligible for the American Marketing Association (AMA) Marketing Management Certification. Chapter advisors can purchase certificates for eligible members through DECA’s membership portal marketplace for $25 each. The option to purchase certificates for 2025-2026 remains available through October 30, 2026. Learn more here.
13. DECA Scholarships
DECA members interested in a scholarship complete a single application, and eligible scholarships automatically populate based on the information they submit. All scholarships require transcripts and three letters of reference, along with any additional items specific to that scholarship. Everything must be completed and uploaded by the January 11, 2027, due date (including the letters of reference). The application portal opens this fall.
