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Mission, Vision, & Background

IDEA, Institute for Democratic Education in America, is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure that all young people can engage meaningfully with their education and gain the tools to build a just, democratic, and sustainable world.

IDEA believes in education by, for, and with young people and communities. The organization strengthens courage, capacity, and connection among changemakers to make this a reality.

IDEA envisions an educational system based on respect for human rights and values of freedom and responsibility, participation and collaboration, and equity and justice. IDEA advances democratic education: learning that equips every human being to participate fully in a healthy democracy.

About Democratic Education

The goal of democratic education is to empower young people to be autonomous, responsible members of their community and the larger world. Democratic education is rooted in meaningful challenge to the learner, while also being responsive and relevant to the larger community. It celebrates the adventure of learning, while cultivating personal and social responsibility. It helps individuals and communities find their voices.

IDEA is committed to bridging the disconnect between democratic values and the current educational system. This disconnect is striking, as the learning experience today is largely determined by a standardized, high-stakes, and de-personalized approach that alienates young people from learning and drives gifted teachers out of the profession.

In contrast, democratic education starts from the premise that every young person is unique, and that all young people ought to have the opportunity to live and learn in an environment that practices meaningful participation, that supports self-initiative in learning, and that is directed towards greater equality and social justice.

A Brief History of IDEA

Dana Bennis, Chris Balme, and Melia Dicker met at the 2003 International Democratic Education Conference in Troy, New York. They dreamt together about building a national organization that could catalyze meaningful educational change based on democratic values and human rights. They were inspired by Israeli educator Yaacov Hecht and the work of the Institute for Democratic Education (IDE) based in the Kibbutzim College of Education in Tel Aviv. Dana, Chris and Melia maintained their commitment to democratic education through the years that followed while pursuing other educational projects across the country.

In March 2009, The Bay and Paul Foundations funded a four-day vision and planning session that led to the creation of a first Board of Directors and a clearer strategy. With the support of two-year funding commitments from The Bay and Paul Foundations and the New Visions Foundation the dream that was IDEA moved forward.

IDEA would direct its message outward, to the mainstream, believing that the only way to effect widespread change was to collaborate with those who are involved in education, from students to policymakers, and in a variety of settings, including public schools. IDEA would be an action and research based organization that would learn from the failures of previous educational change efforts, while utilizing new technologies and pragmatic leadership to develop the resources, credibility, and strategy needed to systemically change our nation’s paradigms about learning and teaching.

The work of IDEA is further guided by a commitment to remain humble and open in dialogue with others, to be full of genuine regard for all people, to think big and "speak truth to power with love" (West, 1993), and to infuse this work with a spirit of humor, fun, and positivity.

In February 2010, Dana and the Board of Directors recruited Scott Nine to serve as IDEA’s first Executive Director. Scott joined the IDEA team in July 2010. Dana now serves as Director of Research and Programs, and Melia is Director of Communications.

IDEA launched publicly in May 2010.