History of Dance Education in Communities

  • Attention called to Physical Education

    The American Association for Advancement of Physical Education is established.
  • Incorporation of Dance in Physical Education

    Colleges begin to incorporate dance into their physical education programs. Dance is seen as an activity for practicing and maintaining good health.
  • Isadora Duncan

    Isadora Duncan, known for being a pioneer of modern dance and breaking away from the rigid form of ballet, opens her first school of dance for young women. Initially established in Germany, the school would later relocate to the United States.
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    Introduction to New Cultures

    During this time period, America's immigration levels began to rise. Immigrants deriving from European countrries such as Ireland, as well as countries within South America and Asian, brought their own unique dance backgrounds with them. Folk and cultural dances began to influence and expand American's ideas pertaining to dance.
  • First Attainable Degree in Dance

    Margaret H'Doubler founds the first program allowing students to pursue a degree in dance at the University of Wisconsin.
  • Dance is Advocated

    Master educators,and doctoral dissertations advocate for the intergration of dance within the public school systems.
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    Great Depression & World War II

    The Great Depression and World War II both contributed in making a more conservative America, where arts education was limited.
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    Civil Rights Movements

    Challenges arise in education systems as classrooms are interrupted by discrimination issues based on race, gender, and social status.
  • Radical Space Race

    Science and math begin to be regarded as more important subjects within the educational realm prior profound space achievements, such as the Soviet union's Sputnik. Dance is seen as illegitimate in comparison.
  • The Elementary and Secondary Education Act

    The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was passed as part of President Johnson's "war on poverty". The act was inteneded to provide government funding to schools and worked to provide equal educational opportunities. The ESEA provided funding for dance education in schools as enrichment activities.
  • Title IX

    As an anti-discrimnation law in education, Title IX resulted in the shift of dance from being viewed as physical education to an art, which it is most currently percieved as.
  • "Educate America" Act

    Signed under Bill Clinton, physical education is now required for students K-12, revitalizing dance education.
  • Dance Standards

    The National Dance Association creates and publishes offical standards for dance education allow for a more creditable art. Forty eight states uphold these same standards present day,
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    Enacted when George W. Bush was in presidential office, the "No Child LEft Behind," act called for an increase in teaching standards, also including dance education standards.