Should you consider examinations for your child?
Should you consider examinations for your child?
Dear Parents,
The Australian Teachers of Dancing (A.T.O.D.) is a highly reputed dance organization with members worldwide. We are leaders in the field of dance education and provide an exciting, vibrant, professional and educational environment for dance studios.
Examinations with A.T.O.D. have a wonderful reputation for being an exciting and rewarding experience for students. Examinations are conducted in a group situation and the Examiner is professional, encouraging and friendly.
We find that children who participate in examinations each year gain confidence and learn important life skills such as learning to concentrate in an examination environment which assists with their school examinations and other similar situations. Participating in examinations also gives them a goal to work towards and an opportunity to receive an independent assessment of how they are progressing technically. Ultimately, the higher levels can lead to examinations for Teaching Diplomas.
Students enter the examination room in a relaxed yet disciplined manner in groups of up to 10 students for pre dance assessments, up to 8 students for Test/Level 1 – Bronze Star/Level 5, up to 6 students from Silver Medal – Gold Bar/Elementary/Level10 and up to 4 students for Intermediate – Advanced.
In the junior grades, exercises are seen altogether as a group or in pairs or line by line (with the exception of tap) and dances are seen in pairs.
A.T.O.D. prides itself on keeping examination fees to a realistic and affordable level with families in mind. On passing the examination, students receive an examination report/certificate and a medal from A.T.O.D.
We would like to encourage you to allow your child to join the growing number of students who learn, perform and excel within the A.T.O.D. system of training.
Yours sincerely,
Karen Malek
KAREN MALEK
PRESIDENT A.T.O.D. LTD
BENEFITS TO CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN PRE DANCE ASSESSMENTS
The Assessment –
*provides an opportunity for small children to be introduced to the assessment procedure in a relaxed and familiar environment;
*allows the teacher to take the students for a normal class with a special visitor (the Examiner) as their guest for the class;
*allows the children to be assessed on participation and involvement in the lesson. At this age, they are not assessed on dance technique or
musicality;
*provides the children with a medal and written report with positive comments such as “Delightful use of arms in your fairy runs Sara. Co-ordination is developing well with excellent skips seen.” and
*gives the children’s family and teacher an opportunity to build self confidence by congratulating the children on how wonderful they are!
FAQ
Does my child have to go into the assessment on their own?
No, the students go in as a group with their teacher as if they are taking a ‘normal’ class.
How will the Examiner know which is my child?
The children will have a number pinned to the front and back of their school uniform. This number will correspond with your child’s
name and number on the entry form.
How do I know if my child will ‘pass’?
All children receive their report and medal based on their participation in the class. The children are not graded i.e. no pass
or unsuccessful grades are given.
I don’t wish my child’s success to be compared to other children in the class.
All reports are private and confidential and it is at your discretion if you wish to share the comments on your child’s report with others. There are no marks given on the report – only positive reinforcement and comments on all papers.
BENEFITS TO CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN TESTS ONE, TWO & THREE EXAMINATIONS
The Examination –
*provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to the examination procedure in a relaxed and familiar environment;
*allows the teacher to demonstrate the work and assist the students in commencing all exercises in Tests One & Two;
*provides the students with a medal and written report with positive and technical comments to assist with ongoing training;
*provides an opportunity for student’s to build self esteem and a sense of achievement;
*gives the student’s family and teacher/s the opportunity to build confidence by congratulating the students on how wonderful they are!
FAQ
Does my child have to go in on their own?
No, the students go in as a group with their fellow students.
How will the Examiner know which is my child?
The students have a number pinned to the front of their school uniform. This number will correspond with the student’s name and number on the entry form.
How do I know if my child is ready?
You child’s teacher is qualified to make that judgment. If a student has not reached a certain technical level, has a learning disability or perhaps has not been learning very long, the student may be entered as a participant.
What is the difference between entering an examination as a candidate as opposed to entering as a participant?
An examination entrant will receive a grade - Pass or Unsuccessful based on their work together with marks for each exercise. Please note that statistically more than 99.9% of candidates pass their examinations. A participant receives a written report and a medallion without grades or marks for each exercise.
I don’t wish my child’s success to be compared to other children in the class.
All reports are private and confidential and it is at your discretion if you wish to share your child’s report with others. All students who successfully attain the required standard all receive a Pass grading and are not otherwise graded so comparisons cannot be made with the Pass result printed at the base of the report