Colorado State University and Poudre School District Collaboration

Since the summer of 2022 the Colorado State University (CSU) Dance Program & Poudre School District (PSD) have begun an emerging partnership to help create more comprehensive movement/dance opportunities in PK-12 education. This partnership, which is currently focusing on Laurel Elementary, is prioritizing equity and accessibility and hoping to include other Title 1 schools in our community in the near future. The current efforts build upon 15+ years of partnership and collaboration between CSU Dance and PSD.  The aim of this new phase and expanded endeavor is to create a more robust and adaptable dance integration curriculum that centers mental health and social emotional learning and that begins to chip away at the mental health crisis our children, community and nation faces. The partnership is also coinciding with the anticipated Fall 2023 launch of CSU’s BFA in Dance with a concentration in Dance Education, including a simultaneous Colorado Department of Education (CDE) educator licensure with an endorsement in dance. Further, it is consistent with the state-wide initiative to have the 2022 updated CDE Dance Standards more readily used and CSU’s long-term goal to have dance education in school districts within every county of the state.