Richmond Ballet's Mind in Motion program offers selected students an opportunity to take group dance lessons during 4th grade. Time taken away from academic instruction did not have a negative effect on standardized test scores and students reported feelings of greater success in school, more focus on school work, and greater ability to work with…

Since the mid-1970s, at least 20 states have instituted standardized tests that must be passed before students can receive a high school diploma. This paper draws on data collected in four states to explore some of the lasting effects of competency test legislation. Of particular interest is student awareness of these tests. A survey of 733…