Collegiate DECA's competitive events are getting an updated set of evaluation tools for the 2026-2027 competitive year. Here's what collegiate chapter advisors and members need to know. For full details, refer to the 2026-2027 Collegiate DECA Guide and deca.org/collegecompete.
1. New Competitive Events Rubric
DECA has updated the evaluation rubric for every competitive event. Every rubric now uses the same four levels of evaluation — Novice, Developing, Proficient, and Exemplary — replacing the prior scoring descriptors.
These levels aren't just new labels. Each one gives judges specific criteria to look for at each level so that as a participant moves up a level, it reflects a real increase in the depth of knowledge and application.
- Novice — Demonstrates a limited or inaccurate understanding of key concepts.
- Developing — Demonstrates a basic understanding of key concepts.
- Proficient — Demonstrates a solid understanding of key concepts and clearly explains and supports ideas using appropriate evidence.
- Exemplary — Demonstrates a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of key concepts, including accurate explanations and clear use of relevant evidence to support understanding.
The goal is consistency and clearer expectations across the board, with a greater focus on reasoning, application and workplace-readiness skills. For the full breakdown of what separates each level across Content Understanding, Application of Performance Indicators and Career Competencies, Reasoning, and Workplace Readiness, check out pages 30-31 of the Collegiate DECA Guide.
2. Career Competencies Replace 21st Century Skills
Case study evaluations now evaluate Career Competencies instead of 21st Century Skills. This shift aligns DECA's evaluation language with Advance CTE's Career Ready Practices, keeping the skills we assess current with what employers and educators recognize today.
3. Case Studies Have a New "Solution" Category
Case study scenarios now include a dedicated Solution category that weighs originality and problem-solving more heavily than before. Participants are scored on whether their solution is:
- Unique (or Accurate, for finance events requiring calculations) — demonstrating original thinking, fresh perspectives, and an insightful approach.
- Practical — an actionable, viable solution grounded in a real-world context.
- Effective — a solution that achieves relevant outcomes.
This new category shifts points toward creative, well-reasoned solutions that solve the problem rather than just hitting the expected talking points.
Sample case studies with the new rubrics and competitive event guidelines are now available at deca.org/collegecompete and refer to the Collegiate DECA Guide for additional information.
ICDC Schedule Format for 2027
The tentative agenda for the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in Austin, Texas has shifted from previous years.
- Friday — Grand Opening Session and Competitive Events Briefing
- Saturday — Preliminary Competition
- Sunday — Professional Development Series and Individual Case Study Events Exam (both required for competitors)
- Monday — Preliminary Awards Session, Final Competition and Grand Awards Session
Schedule subject to change. For the full tentative agenda and complete registration details, see the Collegiate DECA ICDC Registration Guide.
