TDEA Dance/Drill Team Spring Assessment (Pilot)

TDEA Dance Team Assessment Committee proudly represented our membership at the UIL Legislative Council meeting, where we presented our vision for a Texas State Dance/Drill Team Assessment and Competition. Our goal remains to create a statewide competitive event that encourages fairness and integrity in the dance competition landscape. Eventually, we’d love for this to become a State Championship - designed by dance educators for dance/drill teams and various performance ensembles across Texas.
We were encouraged by the robust discussion and deepened understanding among the UIL Legislative Council members regarding the diversity and impact of dance programs in our state. While we were not granted full sanctioning at this time, we were moved into the monitoring phase. This allows for more frequent updates and continued advocacy, with the hope that as budget conditions improve, we can revisit full implementation.
In the meantime, TDEA is ready and committed to continuing to host in the Fall Field Competitions and Assessments in the Spring for Texas dance/drill teams/performance ensembles that are similar to those hosted in other states by their state dance educator organizations.

​ TDEA Dance-Drill Team Assessment Handbook Spring 2026
​Know Before You Go! 
  • Registration Opens November 17, 2025, at noon until December 15, 2025
  • Each location will be capped at 50 teams, registrations are first come first serve.
  • You do not have to be in the region where the assessment is taking place. 
  • Registration is $300 per team
    • ​Payments are due by January 10, 2026
    • No refunds will be issued after January 10, 2026
    • Cancellations received by January 9 will be charged a $20 cancellation fee. Proper cancellation form must be submitted by January 9, 2026.
  • Teams may enter one routine of any genre.  
  • Varsity level teams only at this time.  
  • All varsity performance groups are welcome to perform. 
  • Performances will be scheduled approximately between 10 am and 7:30 pm. Please gain approval for transportation prior to registering to attend as the schedule will not be adjusted after the schedule is released.   
    • ​Schedules will be released at least three weeks prior to the event. ​

Dates and Locations

January 21, 2026 - Laredo Area - Laredo ISD Nixon HS 
January 22, 2026 - South Texas - PSJA ISD Valley View HS
February 5, 2026 - El Paso Area - Bowie High School 
February 9, 2026 - Corpus Christi Area - Flower Bluff ISD - Flower Bluff HS 
February 25, 2026 - DFW Area - Mansfield HS
February 25, 2026 - San Antonio Area - SAISD Alamo Convention Center 
February 26, 2026 - Houston Area - Katy ISD Leonard Merrell Center 
​February 26, 2026 - Houston Area - Clear Creek ISD - Clear Falls HS
March 4, 2026 - Austin Area - Liberty Hill - Legaby Ranch HS
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      Jaqueline Olivares
      TDEA Dance Team Assessment Committee Chair 
      Click here to email Jaqueline