Dance Education 1999: Status, Challenges, and Recommendations

Abstract

The field of dance education has evolved into a discrete discipline within the past fifteen years. More significant, the integrity of the field supplants previous faulty practices in dance education such as the quick fix, the chance occurrence, or the emphasis on the dance product. Today, fully accredited university dance education programs throughout the nation are poised to infuse K-12 dance education with quality, comprehensive programs that enable aspiring dance educators and their future students to grow and thrive. The processes inherent in teaching dance (creating, performing, and responding) provide a comprehensive dance education that should not, must not, be confused or forfeited for the dance product, if it is a quick fix. Substituting the quick fix for dance education robs students of the rich experiences that will serve the individual for a lifetime and provide the nation with a culture. The National Dance Education Association supports educators, administrators, and state education decision makers in their endeavor to build comprehensive dance programs to meet state goals in arts education. Let us know how we can help you so quality dance programs become part of arts education throughout the nation for all children.19 If we help the states achieve their goals in dance within arts education, we can achieve our goals as a nation.