NDEO offers professional development, service and leadership at local, state and national levels. NDEO and our large community of teachers and institutions build model programs in dance that are exceptionally taught by qualified artist-educators. The programs, artist-educators and institutions become a cornerstone of the community and often the state - important to arts, education, politics, economics, and citizenry. NDEO serves as a strong voice for representation in legislatures at local, state, and national levels. In this capacity we provide a united voice and strong base for advocacy in dance arts education for the U.S.

NDEO's primary goals are to: 1) lead the national voice and advance the vision for dance education in the U.S.; 2) provide leadership in research curriculum and instruction for dance education in the U.S.; and 3) develop infrastructure to support state and national goals in dance education.

Evolution of Dance in Arts Education

Dance found its first home in K-12 and higher education in physical education programs. The first dance major was approved in the Women's Physical Education Department at the University of Wisconsin / Madison in 1926. Until the 1970s, most school and university dance programs were affiliated with girls' and women's physical education. However, legislation in 1972 (Title IX) and 1974 (Equal Educational Opportunity) caused PE to focus on coeducational sports. Simultaneously, dance artists were encouraged to get degrees in teaching dance.  Thus began a thirty year migration of dance into the fine and performing arts.  Over the three decades, dance further defined itself as arts-based while physical education became more specialized in the areas of athletics, human kinetics and sports science.

Throughout this transition for dance, from physical education to fine arts, professional preparation and pedagogy in dance changed dramatically. More and more dance educators emerged from colleges and universities trained in creative and artistic processes in dance (creating, performing and analyzing dance) as well as in cultural, historical, social, and artistic contexts of dance.

In the course of these three decades, Americans and postsecondary institutions grew to appreciate the artistic, educational and cultural values of dance; and, gradually, the departments of fine and performing arts became the new home for artistic dance. It was a natural home for artistic dance because in the colleges of fine arts: 1) aesthetics were understood and taught as intellectual content, skills and knowledge; 2) artistic experimentation and performance were encouraged; and 3) music, visual arts, and theatre resided in postsecondary education.

By the early 1990s, dance achieved a national presence when it joined forces with music, visual arts and theatre to support national initiatives in arts education. Major initiatives included the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, national standards and assessments in the arts, opportunity-to-learn standards, teacher guidelines for certification and licensure, national arts surveys in American schools, and national task force committees on a myriad of arts issues (assessments, research, early childhood education, professional development, teacher training, etc.). For more information, see: Bonbright, J.M.(2007) "The National Agenda for Dance Arts Education: Evolution of Dance as an Art Form Intersects with Evolution of Federal Interest In, and Support of, Arts Education."

History of NDEO

The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) sprang into existence full grown with support from major leadership in dance education to create an independent and autonomous organization that would fulfill the needs of the field and address dance as an art in education and private schools of dance. In April 1998, a national office was established near Washington, DC in close proximity to other national arts and education associations, federal agencies, and offices whose work impacts the arts education agenda in America. NDEO initiated an important, on-going dialogue with other professional organizations and legislative bodies to address the issues and policy decisions that impact quality dance education in America 's schools, studios and universities.

NDEO was very quickly recognized as both an informed voice and leader for dance in arts education among its peers and the 150 organizations and agencies with whom NDEO networks to advance dance education centered in the arts. NDEO gained recognition in substantial grants, building partnerships, publishing student and teacher standards for education and arts, and spearheading national programs. In the first decade, NDEO helped 15 states obtain dance certification, established 15 state affiliates, and published three major sets of standards for students and teachers that create a continuum for teaching and learning dance from birth through master teacher level. NDEO was awarded a $673,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to conduct the Research in Dance Education (RDE) project, develop the Research in Dance Education database (RDEdb), establish two Centers for Research in Dance Education (Temple University and New York University), and publish a report to the nation (Research Priorities for Dance Education) that examined patterns, trends and gaps in dance research from 1926 to the present and made recommendations for future research. In addition, NDEO established the National Honor Society for Dance Arts; published world class resources; and provided to members the Journal of Dance Education, health and liability insurance programs, credit card processing, and printing services.  These are all important services that the field has needed for decades – and all are available through membership.

NDEO honors its past but respects the critical issues before us in the 21^st century. Invest in your future. Support dance education centered in the arts!

Accomplishments

83% of NDEO funds go back into member programs and services and into systemic change and growth in dance arts education.

• NDEO sponsors annual national conferences that offer more than 200 professional development sessions (presentations, master classes, workshops, panels, performances and job-a-likes, etc.) Participants exclaim conferences are life-changing – and they register a year in advance.  Join us!
  
  
• NDEO established the Journal of Dance Education (JODE), the first American journal to focus on dance education for artists, educators and administrators teaching in private studios/schools of dance, preK-12, colleges and universities, and outreach programs of performing arts organizations.
  
  
• Today, 37 states certify in dance.  NDEO was integral to 15 states getting state certification in the past eight years. NDEO received grants from the NEA to help states develop strategic plans to get dance in schools, improve the quality of dance education in their state, and build the infrastructure to help states support and obtain state dance certification.  Does your state certify in dance?
  
  
• NDEO established 14 state affiliates (AZ, CA, DC, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, NY, RI, SC, UT, VA, WA) to strengthen networks at local, state and national levels, and build a collective voice for the nation.
  
  
• NDEO developed the Research in Dance Education database (RDEdb) that contains vast amounts of data on over 3,300 documents (dissertations, theses, articles) written 1926 to the present. The RDEdb is indispensable for pursuing grants and funding, position papers, advocacy, research and scholarship; building programs and curriculum; and defending dance/arts education programs subject to administrative cutbacks. The RDE project was funded by the U.S. Dept of Education ($673,000). The RDEdb is indispensable!
  
  
• NDEO provides library and institutional subscriptions to the Research in Dance Education database .
  
  
• NDEO established two Centers for Research in Dance Education (Temple University and New York University) and published Research Priorities for Dance Education: A Report to the Nation (2004) that summarizes patterns, trends, and gaps in research 1926 to the present, and makes important recommendations to the field.
  
  
• NDEO provides world-class resources (books, CDs, videos). Visit the NDEO On-line Store.
  
  
• NDEO State Affiliates are important to the art.  Dual membership in state and national unite the country, strengthen communications and build a collective voice for dance in the U.S., solidify national and state infrastructure, and pool resources to accomplish common goals.
  
  
• The new Standards for Dance in Early Childhood (Birth-5 Years); Standards for Learning and Teaching Dance in the Arts: Ages 5-18; and Professional Teaching Standards for Dance in Arts Education are available for free.  You may download them at: www.ndeo.org/standards.asp. They provide a strong continuum for learning and teaching from birth through master teacher level.
  
  
• Professional liability insurance, child molestation insurance, and health and dental insurances are available for dance educators. In addition, if you run events, check out our Event (liability) insurance and Event Cancellation insurance. Coverage on all programs is extensive and rates are low. Availability is determined by the state laws in which you live. To find out more, click here.
  

• Much work has been accomplished, but much more needs to be done. The agenda is ambitious and exciting.  If you are a dance educator, administrator or artist working in the private sector, postsecondary education, prek-12, or in outreach programs associated with performing arts organizations and cultural centers – there is an important place for you in the NDEO. JOIN NOW!
  

Governance

NDEO is a membership driven organization. Members have a strong voice in its work and governance. Board members serve as Directors of divisions and each has discrete job responsibilities. This supports a strong organizational infrastructure. Members nominate and vote for the Board of Directors, publish world-class resources, write white papers, provide 90% of conference material, build state affiliates, establish Student Chapters for the National Honor Society and higher education, provide awards and scholarship, and determine the thrust of initiatives setting new directions for dance in the arts and education. The Board of Directors is responsible to the membership.

NDEO Board of Directors 2006 - 2007

Liaisons and Partnerships

NDEO works with 150 federal and state agencies, arts and education associations, and businesses and corporations to support teaching and learning dance as an art form in education.  We serve dance education taught in preK-12, colleges and universities, private studios and schools of dance, outreach programs in performing arts organizations and cultural centers at local, state, and national levels.

Financial Support and Grants

     National Endowment for the Arts
     US Department of Education
     Capezio
     Leo's Dancewear
     Tighe Industries

National Partnerships

     National Association of Schools of Dance
     National Registry of Dance Educators
     Parent Teachers Association
     Very Special Arts
     Young Audiences
     Wolf Trap

Federal Education Agencies - support standards, curriculum, assessments, surveys and data collection; and systemic reform at national, state and local levels.

     ArtsEdge
     Council for Chief State School Officers
     Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network
     National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
     National Assessments for Educational Progress
     National Assessment Governing Board
     National Center for Educational Statistics
     National Endowment for the Arts
     Office of Educational Research & Improvement
     U.S. Dept. of Education

State Agencies - facilitates NDEO's work with states and grants.

     State Departments of Education
     State Arts Agencies - National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
     State Alliance for Arts in Education Agencies-Kennedy Center
     State Dance Councils

State Affiliates of NDEO

     Arizona Dance Arts Alliance (AzDEO)
     California Dance Education Association (CDEA)
     Capital Region Educators Dance Organization (Maryland, Virginia, and DC)
     Florida Dance Education Organization (FDEO)
     Dance! Kentucky
     Missouri Dance Education Organization (MDEO)
     Michigan Dance Council (MDC)
     Dance New Jersey
     New York State Dance Education Association (NYSDEA)
     Rhode Island Dance Alliance (RIDA)
     South Carolina Dance Education Organization (SCDEO)
     Utah Dance Education Organization (UDEO)
     Dance Educators Association of Washington (DEAW)
    

National Dance Organizations