Dance educators must define the concepts that distinguish dance from other disciplines and other forms of movement. Dance makes use of space, time, and force to become a distinctive art form involving kinesthetic perception and emotional self-expression, as well as motor skill development. (PP)

Dance programs for older adults that encourage exercise and socializing are described in six articles. Program guidelines of the American Alliance Committee on Aging are explained, and other articles emphasize a movement education approach that may involve intergenerational contact. A dance program held in a worship setting is also discussed. (PP)

Addresses the common confusion about the nature and use of intellect in the arts. Attempts to demonstrate the forces that promote and reinforce this confusion in relation to the nature and use of intellect in the arts. (CMK)

Argues that art skills can be taught, but the way that individual artists use those skills cannot be taught. Discusses how teachers in the arts require different preparation from that provided today and that new approaches are needed to teach art lovers and aspiring professionals. (KM)

Finds that, among 39 American Indian college women, those who participated in a 4-week dance education program incorporating cultural support symbols showed significantly lower posttest trait anxiety than controls but did not differ from controls in posttest state anxiety. Reports stress factors identified from subjects' questionnaire responses.…

Teaching dance technique is insufficient to provide an education in dance. Dance programs could be improved by implementing a K-12 dance curriculum using criteria known as discipline-based arts education. A professional development course for K-6 classroom teachers which implements this approach is described. (IAH)

Investigates the nature of expertise in the interpretation of cultural artifacts, particularly the Concheros dance of Mexico. Tests CD-ROM-based multimedia software designed to teach expert evaluation strategies. Shows that, compared with a control group, students using the software exhibited a greater ability to interpret the Concheros dance.…

Argues that the arts demand careful analysis when providing a rationale for the inclusion of the arts in educational programs and policies. Provides information on the content and context of dance opposition and provides examples from dance history of issues that need to be addressed. (CMK)

Reports on the data gleaned from the survey on dance education administered simultaneously with the 1997 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) arts assessments. Presents the process and problems of developing and implementing assessments in dance. Considers the value of the assessments to dance and offers recommendations for the…

Highlights characteristics of arts education in Norway, especially with regard to music education. Discusses arts education policy issues such as School Reform 97, the aesthetic dimension, and the idea of the core curriculum. Observes how these different policy issues affected arts education and music/dance education in particular. (CMK)

Ongoing arts education issues for dance educators concern the role of elementary school classroom teachers as dance facilitators in their classrooms, the parameters of such a role, and whether or not university dance departments can prepare them to fill it. This article presents both the author's perspectives on meeting this challenge and the…

In recent years the number of children, ages 3 to 5, in early childhood programs has rapidly grown. As a result, an emphasis has been placed on developing curriculum guidelines that specifically address the needs of young children. One of these guidelines recommends that children be provided with an opportunity to participate in regular movement…

The transition from teaching dance in higher education to the secondary school setting can be turbulent. Dance curriculum for secondary students must meet their developmental and psychological needs, while also fitting into an abbreviated class period. Individuals making this transition must be aware of the different goals that a middle or high…

A pilot research project was conducted to address issues related to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in dance in higher education. The primary goals were to summarize the impact of HIV/AIDS on dance and dance education, to document the profession's response (research, curricula, programs,…

This study compared the creative thinking abilities of students taking dance class in high school to nondance students (n = 286). The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) was the basis of the comparison using a pre-test/post-test format. Dance subjects were enrolled in classes that included a variety of dance forms plus some creative work.…