Children performance evaluation rubric in Greek dance. Reliability of scores

The analytic rubric, consisting of eight criteria (dance identification, response to the rhythm of the dance, synchronization, step sequence, direction-schema and type of hand holding of the dance, body stance and position, quality characteristics of the movement, and expressiveness) and five performance levels for each (excellent, very good, moderate acceptable, marginally acceptable, not acceptable), aims at objectively and consistently illustrating the way in which one is dancing, regardless of who evaluates it (Pitsi, Digellidis and Philippou 2013). The purpose of the study was to examine the reliability of the dance performance rubric in students aged 10–12 years. Consequently, thirty-six students, in grades 5 and 6 of primary school, with an average 4-year experience at Greek dances, were examined in their ability to identify three Greek dances from their music, to respond to the rhythm of the dance with hand clapping and perform the kinetic form of each dance. The students were videotaped during the performance of the dances and evaluated through their videotaped performances. A re-evaluation was carried out two weeks after the first one so the possibility of repeating the evaluation by memory would be excluded. The raters were two dance experts with great experience. The findings are encouraging as to the reliability of the use of this rubric. The rubric, therefore, will enable dance teachers to get feedback to better design future learning experiences for maximum benefit to their students.