The USISTD Collegiate Assessment Program at the
2002 National Collegiate DanceSport Championships
The United States Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (USISTD) conducts medal tests for university/college students under the name of the Collegiate Assessment Program in cooperation with the YCN and USABDA.
Medal testing is a beneficial way of improving your standard of dancing: -
Assessments offer a wonderful goal-directed program, which provides motivation to develop your dance skills. Working toward a specific assessment provides great motivation to maintain your active involvement with classes.
There is a steady measurement of progress with the Medal Program. Successful candidates receive a written critique, certificate, and medal. The entire experience gives you concrete recognition of accomplishment, which you would otherwise miss by merely coming in for weekly classes.
Assessments provide a super teaching tool. Students who commit to the scrutiny of an Assessor will work harder to eliminate faults and to master problem areas in their dancing.
Great prestige. The USISTD Assessment Program provides dancers with the assurance that the institution where they receive their lessons trains its students to a high standard. To be a part of such a program gives the student an additional sense of pride and loyalty.
By using the USISTD’s graduated series of goals, it can be determined if you have mastered a particular skill level before being introduced to a higher level.
An assessor will be available on Friday evening (the 22nd November) from approximately 6:00- 7:30pm. Exams will also be held on Saturday and Sunday (the 23rd and 24th November), times to be determined. All assessments will be held in the Union Room (Sam’s Club).
As an added bonus, Phillip Stephens (examiner and Fellow of the USISTD) will be conducting workshops on Saturday and Sunday to demonstrate the figures and explain what medal testing is all about. Keep posted for exact times and location.
Simply complete the Sign Up form. You will be able to sign up at Ohio Star Ball but for planning purposes we strongly encourage you to complete the documentation in advance. Pay particular attention to the exact spelling of each candidate’s name. This is the list the Examinations Director will use to produce all of the Certificates. Taking a little more time with this aspect of the process will avoid potentially embarrassing situations arising from misspelled names. All exams are $5 per dance per person and checks should be made payable to the USISTD. Send your check with a copy of the sign up form to:-
Phillip
Stephens
5718 Brock Street
Houston, TX 77023-5906
Assessment
Protocol
Each couple will be escorted onto the dance floor when the Assessor has completed marking the prior examination papers. Prepare to dance. The DJ will start the music. The Assessor will indicate when the music is to be stopped. After dancing, the couple may then leave the dance floor. The Assessor will not discuss the individuals’ performance or their scores. The completed medal test form, certificates and medals will be available at Ohio Star Ball for distribution. In the event they are not available or not collected, every effort will be made to send them to each candidate by mail. Remember, to pass an Imperial assessment at any level, with any grade, means that you have achieved a standard to be proud of.
Q. What if I fail?
A. It does happen that a candidate is entered for an assessment for which they are not prepared. Sometimes a case of “nerves” affects the student’s performance. The test results are confidential, and no one besides you and the student need know this result if the student is sensitive about the grade. Secondly, the general knowledge that Assessors do fail candidates makes everyone; including the failed student appreciate the worth of the assessments all the more. It can motivate your student body to work that much harder. If you do fail your test, remember is a wonderful preparation for repeating the test and gaining high marks rather than just barely a “Pass”. The student must wait a period of thirty days between failing an assessment and re-taking this assessment.
Assessors do not want to fail a student. They will generally give the benefit of the doubt, whenever possible. Dancing out of time with the music or exhibiting several footwork faults are the usual reasons for a failing grade. It is not unusual for the Assessor to suggest a student “start again”. It does, however, place responsibility on the instructor to prepare their students by having them practice the Assessment procedure.
Q. What information will I receive on my dancing?
A. The Assessor will give an overall evaluation of the student's dancing. This should be stressed to the student so they will not expect an essay on the assessment paper. The Assessor cannot look at the candidate and write at the same time. Nor can he look, and then take fifteen minutes detailing every fault and/or virtue. The student needs to know that he or she has met the standards of the Imperial Society. The Assessor will, time permitting, note positive and negative items, which have caught his/her eye.
Q. How long must I dance?
A. One to two minutes per dance. Students should know in advance that they will probably not dance for an entire song and that, if their dancing is exceptional for their grade, they may not dance long at all.
Make certain that all of you understand what assessments are all about, including the standard of dancing expected at each level. USISTD Assessors are dedicated to upholding good standards of dancing. Due to our rigorous standards, it does happen that students occasionally fail a dance or an assessment. This is usually due to lack of preparation or from not understanding of what is expected. All persons involved with these assessments should be aware that they are not a “rubber-stamp”. It is important that this is clearly understood in order to avoid misunderstandings and disappointments. Don't hesitate to contact the Examinations Director with questions. He/she will be glad to assist you with any problems or questions you have.
Questions?
Please contact Ian Gillett, USISTD Collegiate Assessment Program Director at: iankgillett@hotmail.com or 703-567-5709.
Dress Code
International Standard and American Style Ballroom Division
Men in dress slacks, plain shirt and tie, vest or cardigan. Suits are appropriate but not required. No tails suits or dance costumes.
Ladies in cocktail dresses without excessive adornment, or a skirt and blouse. No slacks, ball gowns or dance costumes.
International Latin and American Style Rhythm Division
Men in dress slacks, plain shirt and tie, turtleneck or ruffled shirt. A vest is optional.
Ladies should wear dresses without excessive adornment, or leotards and wrap-around skirts. No pants or costumes.
Syllabus of Examinations
Two types of tests will be offered at Ohio Star Ball: the Dance Achievement award (which is a lower level exam) and the Bronze medal test.
Dance Achievement Awards
A minimum of two basic figures should be demonstrated in each dance. The standard will not be technical and will not demand the Rise and Fall, Latin action or quality of movement required in the Medal Tests. Correct footwork is desirable, but will not be insisted upon. These are not graded exams and should be used primarily for beginners or at the dance program administrator’s discretion.
Dances available:
Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Slow or Quick Rhythm, Viennese Waltz, Peabody, Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Jive, Swing, Mambo, and Bolero. Alternative rhythms available are Salsa, Hustle, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango and Lindy Hop.
A candidate may choose from all of the rhythms above for their test. Those who already hold medals in Ballroom, Latin, Smooth, or Rhythm are eligible to take any of the DAA medals. The higher levels, DAA 2 and DAA 3,do not require a higher standard of dancing.
Scoring
Each dance will be marked Pass, Commended or Honors. Note that this is the one type of assessment available which will not “fail” the candidate. A pass or higher in each dance will entitle the candidate to the Dance Achievement Award. The USISTD syllabi should be used as a guide for these tests.
Dance Achievement Award Level 1
Candidates will select three dances.
Dance Achievement Award Level 2
Candidates will select four dances.
Dance Achievement Award Level 3
Candidates will select five dances.
Bronze Medal Test
Candidates must pass the tests in strict sequence - Bronze upwards through Gold. Candidates who already hold a Bronze or higher medal of a recognized Society may commence with the Imperial Silver medal test.
Candidates who have passed their first multi-dance examination in the Bronze or Silver level are not required to take further examinations within the same level. However, in order to ensure an even level of quality in their instruction they should be encouraged to take further examinations in the remaining syllabus dances before proceeding to the next Medal level.
Scoring for Amateur Medal Tests:
Maximum marks in each dance = 100%
Honors 85%
Commended 75%
Pass marks in each 65%
The grade is based on the average of all dances. The Examiners’ decisions are final. No correspondence or verbal discussion may be entered into regarding the Examiners’ reports.
A candidate failing to dance in time to music on any Medal Test, including One-Dance Tests may be failed.
In every category of examination, there shall be an interval of at least 30 days between a candidate failing an examination and retaking the same examination.
Medal Test Requirements
One Dance Tests
One Dance Tests do not qualify a candidate to enter a Full Medal test at a higher grade.
Bronze Awards are offered in each of the following dances:
Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Rhythm, Viennese Waltz, Peabody, Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Jive, Swing, Mambo, and Bolero.
International Style Ballroom Medal Tests
Candidates may chose from the figures listed for their grade. It is not necessary to dance all these figures, but no additional figures may be introduced unless otherwise stated.
Dances available: Waltz, Tango, Fox Trot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz.
Dance Pairings: W/Q F/T V
International Style Latin American Medal Tests
Candidates may choose from the figures listed for their grade. It is not necessary to dance all these figures but no additional figures may be introduced unless otherwise stated.
Dances available: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble
Dance Pairings: C/R; S/J; P
American Style Ballroom (Smooth) Medal Tests
Candidates may chose from the figures listed for their grade. It is not necessary to dance all these figures, but no additional figures may be introduced unless otherwise stated.
Dances available: Waltz, Tango, Fox Trot, Viennese Waltz
Dance Pairings: W/T; F/V
American Style Rhythm Medal Tests
Candidates may chose from the figures listed for their grade. It is not necessary to dance all these figures, but no additional figures may be introduced unless otherwise stated.
Dances available: Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Mambo, Bolero
Dance Pairings: C/R; S/M; B