Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction, in collaboration with Wisconsin citizens, developed academic standards in 12 curricular areas. The dance education standards go beyond emphasizing mastery of individual student areas--they weave five essential characteristics of literate individuals throughout: application of the basics, ability to think, skill in communication, production of quality work, and connections with community. The 10 focus areas for dance education standards are: (1) understanding and demonstrating movement elements and skills in dance; (2) using the body as the instrument of expression and using movement to develop kinesthetic awareness; (3) improvising using movement elements, themes, personal experience, and imagination; (4) creating movement compositions based on choreographic principles, processes, and forms; (5) developing critical and creative thinking through dance experience; (6) understanding the expressive power of dance as a communication form; (7) appreciating dance as an art form; (8) building bridges to other disciplines and cultures; (9) making connections between dance and healthful living; and (10) expanding dance horizons via technology. In each area, content and performance standards are detailed for grades 4, 8, and 12. (SM)