Massachusetts DECA Judging Policy

Massachusetts DECA’s competitive events are designed to be educational, equitable, and professional experiences that reflect real-world business evaluation. All judging is conducted by volunteer professionals under the direct supervision of the Chartered Association Advisor. Assignments and identities are confidential, and all decisions are final.

Our process is managed by the Association Advisor, Judge Coordinator, and Conference Coordinators to ensure fairness, equity, and educational value for every competitor.

Judge Qualifications

●     Judges are volunteers with a minimum of five (5) years of professional work experience and at least five (5) years removed from high school graduation.

●     Each judge completes a registration process to verify experience and interests in order to match judges with a competitive event category.

●     Judges are expected to be fair, impartial, and equitable to every competitor.

Oversight & Structure

●     The Association Advisor is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the judging process, including recruitment, selection, training, and final assignments and has final authority over all judging-related matters.

●     A designated Judge Coordinator manages the operational details of judging at each conference under the direction of the Association Advisor.

●     Conference Coordinators––experienced DECA advisors appointed by the Association Advisor––assist in implementing these procedures and are trusted to carry out the will of the Association Advisor for the benefit of all DECA students.

Impartiality & Confidentiality

●     Judges are trusted to act with professionalism and integrity at all times.

●     Judges who have reason to believe that a personal relationship could interfere with fairness are required to disclose this information at registration to the Judge Coordinator. This includes, but is not limited to, relationships such as being a relative, current or former employee/employer, mentor, teacher, coach, or having direct involvement in the student’s DECA project, business, or school activities.

●     The identities and assignments of judges are confidential and are shared only with the Association Advisor, Judge Coordinator, and designated Conference Coordinators.

Accountability & Finality

●     Judges are held accountable for evaluating all competitors equitably and providing professional, constructive feedback consistent with DECA rubrics and event standards.

●     DECA is an educational organization, not a professional sport. While outcomes may vary, all judging decisions are final.

●     Concerns about event outcomes, judge decisions, or scoring will not alter competitive results.

Volunteer Commitment

The success of Massachusetts DECA competitions depends on the professionalism and generosity of volunteer judges who dedicate their time to supporting students. Their service is valued and essential to the educational mission of the organization.

Massachusetts DECA Judge Code of Conduct

As a Massachusetts DECA judge, I agree to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, impartiality, and fairness. I understand that my role directly supports the educational mission of DECA and that all students must be evaluated equitably.

By serving as a judge, I agree to the following:

Professionalism & Conduct

• I will treat every competitor respectfully and judge solely on the criteria outlined in the DECA rubrics.

• I will avoid personal comments or statements that might suggest preference, discouragement, or evaluation beyond the rubric.

• I will give each competitor my full attention and refrain from using my phone, eating, or engaging in side conversations during presentations.

Impartiality

• I will judge all students with complete fairness, without bias toward or against any individual or school.

• I will disclose any personal connection that may present a conflict of interest (such as relatives, mentees, employees, students I coached or taught, or project teams I advised).

• I understand that occasional familiarity with a student may occur and that once judging begins, reassignment will not occur. I will maintain full professionalism and impartiality even if I recognize a competitor. 

Confidentiality

• I will not discuss student performances, scores, or judging assignments with students, advisors, parents, or anyone outside the authorized event staff.

• I will maintain the confidentiality of judge identities, event assignments, and scoring processes.

• I will not discuss student performances, scores, or judging assignments with students, advisors, parents, or anyone outside the authorized event staff.

• I will maintain the confidentiality of judge identities, event assignments, and scoring processes.

• I will not take or share any photos, videos, or recordings of students, judges, presentations, or competition materials. All forms of recording inside competitive event spaces are strictly prohibited.

Scoring Integrity

• I will evaluate each competitor independently and consistently, following the DECA rubrics and event guidelines.

• I will avoid ties, use whole-number scoring, and submit scores promptly through the online scoring system.

• I will complete all scoring accurately, consistently, and on time, in full alignment with DECA scoring guidelines.

Massachusetts DECA Judging FAQ

Who selects the judges for Massachusetts DECA competitions?

Judges are selected and approved by the Judge Coordinator under the supervision and authority of the Association Advisor.

What qualifications do judges need?

All judges must have a minimum of five years of professional work experience and be five years removed from high school graduation. They are expected to demonstrate professionalism, fairness, and a willingness to mentor students through constructive evaluation.

Are DECA alumni allowed to judge?

Yes. Alumni who meet the professional criteria are welcome and bring valuable insight into the program. Being an alumnus does not disqualify someone from judging any school or category. All judges—alumni or not—are held to the same standards of fairness and impartiality.

What if a judge recognizes a student?

Occasional connections are inevitable in a statewide program. Judges are required to disclose any close or direct personal relationships (such as family, employment, or mentoring) to the Judge Coordinator during registration. General familiarity does not constitute a conflict of interest. Once judging has begun, reassignments will not occur. All judges are expected to uphold the highest standards of fairness and professionalism throughout the event.

Can an advisor or parent know who the judges are?

No. Judge identities and event assignments are confidential and shared only with the Association Advisor, Judge Coordinator, and designated Conference Coordinators. This ensures neutrality and prevents any perception of influence.

Can an advisor request, remove, or challenge a judge?

No. Judge selection and assignments are handled exclusively by the Association Advisor’s team, and these decisions are not subject to appeal or outside input. Requests to influence or alter the judging assignments are not permitted.

What if a chapter disagrees with scores or results?

All judging decisions are final. DECA competition is an educational experience, not a contest of perfect objectivity. Variations in evaluation are part of real-world business judgment, and results will not be reconsidered once tabulated.

How does Massachusetts DECA ensure fairness?

Judges receive standardized training and consistent instructions, rubrics, and evaluation standards. The Association Advisor, Judge Coordinator, and Conference Coordinators actively monitor judging to ensure procedural consistency and integrity.

Who can I contact with general questions about judging?

Questions about judging procedures should be directed to the Association Advisor through official DECA communication channels—not through individual event staff or judges. Inquiries regarding specific scores, judges, or assignments will not be discussed.

Why does Massachusetts DECA rely on volunteers?

DECA is built on community support. Judges volunteer their professional expertise to give students authentic, real-world feedback. The organization is deeply grateful for their time and professionalism.