The Construction of Competency Indicators for Dance Education Programs in Chinese Universities

Abstract

Current traditional dance education models in Chinese higher education institutions place excessive emphasis on technical training and performance skills, while neglecting the cultivation of comprehensive abilities such as innovation and cultural literacy among teacher trainees. Furthermore, existing research predominantly addresses individual competency elements in a fragmented manner, lacking systematic integration and rigorous quantitative analysis of indicator weightings, thereby failing to adequately support high-quality talent development. Consequently, this study, grounded in competency-based education theory, employs literature analysis, a two-round modified Delphi method, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to construct a three-tiered indicator system. This framework encompasses three primary dimensions—dance knowledge, dance skills, and dance attitude—comprising nine secondary and 24 tertiary indicators. These indicators are then allocated across the four-year undergraduate programme according to weighted priorities, forming a progressive development pathway. This provides a scientific basis for curriculum design, talent cultivation, and quality assessment within dance education programmes.