The field of dance education is taking an exciting step forward in Connecticut’s public schools. An increasing number of school systems have been including dance and movement education in their grades K - 12 arts curriculum. To support this activity, and to comply with the requirements of federal education legislation known as “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB), the Connecticut State Department of Education worked for several years with educators and the dance community to develop guidelines for teacher certification in dance, thereby ensuring that well-prepared educators deliver in-school dance programs.
Per federal law, all public-school teachers in core subjects are required to be “Highly Qualified,” i.e., certified in the subject area they teach. Certification is literally a “license” to be a public-school teacher within a state. Because the NCLB law includes the arts among the core subjects, dance teachers will be required to be certified in dance, just as math teachers must be certified in math, science teachers certified in science, and art teachers in art. By implementing dance certification, Connecticut joins the vast majority of other states that offer teacher certification in dance. In order to be qualified for public school teacher certification, an applicant must have successfully completed coursework in each of the following: Applied study in Ballet; Two applied courses in Modern Dance; applied study in a third folkloric dance form (e.g., Ballroom, Tap, Jazz, or African); choreographic principles; dance history and cultures; applied Kinesiology/Anatomy; Nutrition in a wellness or fitness context; and Dance Education methods/curriculum. Students completing this Dance Certificate will have met each of these requirements.
This certificate in Dance allows students the opportunity to explore dance through seminar, lecture, field work (attending live performances), and lab (dance exercises) participation. The Dance certificate enhances technique, broadens one’s repertoire, builds choreographic options and production skills, expands artistic training, and provides a strong foundation in all aspects of dance. This program is tailored for individuals who seek employment or those presently working in studio, theatre, education, non-profit, or community service environments, students wanting to broaden their foundation of dance foundation, and for individuals working in the arts or entertainment industries. Graduates are not only well prepared for employment, but confident in his/her participation on the arts especially dance. It is recommended that students entering this program of study should have a familiarity with dance and the basic foundations of dance.
Note: To be qualified for public school teacher certification, an applicant must hold a college degree from an accredited institution. A Formal Pathways to Dance Certification K-12 has been designed for the public-school teacher wishing to obtain the State of Connecticut’s certification. This Dance certificate may be used towards that K- 12 certification.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate mastery skills and techniques necessary for studio and/or theatre dance.
- Execute a comprehensive historical repertoire of various dance genres using appropriate movement vocabulary.
- Critically assess and demonstrate dance as a means of communication and reflection of one’s society.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and reflection when assessing the movement capabilities of collaborative performers and appraise and adjust their teaching and performing techniques accordingly.
- Execute production skills from the choreographic process to the performance.
- Identify resources for the dance instructor and performer, including texts and music.
- Apply French movement terminology when discussing dance.
Return to: