Step Secure: The Gold Standard for Physical & Psychological Safety in Dance
Aren't state background checks enough? No!
THE PROBLEM
The dance industry faces civil and criminal cases involving sexual assault, misconduct, and fraud.
Many of these incidents could have been prevented with comprehensive background checks.
THE COMPLIANCE GAP
State-level checks are limited in scope and often fail to detect offenders who move across states.
As of 2024, 20–30 states are not fully compliant with the Child Care Development Block Grant Act and the National Child Protection Act, especially regarding interstate checks—a critical gap in protecting children. State-level checks are limited to criminal records and do not search civil cases to determine if an applicant was sued for sexual abuse, misconduct, or fraud. Many abuse cases are not criminally prosecuted and instead are litigated in civil court.
THE RISKS
Studios and teachers without robust screening face legal liability, reputational damage, and financial loss.
Insurance providers recognize this risk and increasingly require or incentivize proactive measures. Many providers offer discounts on premiums and/or risk mitigation allowances that will pay for Step Secure Certifications.
THE SOLUTIONS
Step Secure Certified Dance Educator (CDE) is the gold standard for dancer safety.
Certification includes comprehensive national background checks, paired with a psychological evaluation and training on physical and psychological safety, closing the gaps left by state-levle criminal background only checks.
THE IMPACT
- Protect dancers physically and psychologically.
- Reduce liability and enhance trust with parents, students, and insurers.
- Elevate industry standards for safety and professionalism.
Psychological Safety: What is this all about?
Profile A: The "High-Readiness" Educator
Profile A: The "High-Readiness" Educator
Profile A: The "High-Readiness" Educator
- Total Score: 295/325 (Elite)
- Key Traits: High flexibility, low personal ego, and strong emotional regulation.
Subscale Adjusted Score Interpretation
1. Calmness54/60Stays grounded during technical glitches or loud rehearsals.
2. Social Confidence48/50Confident and warm when communicating with parents
.3. Mental Agility58/60Excellent at "pivoting" if a student doesn't understand a step.
4. Teaching Range45/50Effectively uses imagery, counts, and hands-on corrections.
5. Warmth & Care49/50Sees the student as a person first and a dancer second.
6. Prof. Health41/55
No Red Flags. Does not use shame; views mistakes as data.
Assessment Summary: This teacher creates a Psychologically Safe environment [5]. They are highly recommended for all age groups, including competitive teams where pressure is high, as they can buffer student stress without becoming rigid.
What is DERS?
Profile A: The "High-Readiness" Educator
Profile A: The "High-Readiness" Educator
Teaching dance is not just our experience, knowledge, education, technique, winning track-record, and choreography; it’s the emotional energy and psychological safety we provide our dancers every single day.
To help us all stay at our best, Step Secure's Dance Educator Readiness Scale (DERS) helps us measure our own growth. This isn't a "pass/fail" test or a judgment of your talent. It is a tool to help us check in on our stress levels, teaching styles, and mental "fuel tanks." By understanding our own triggers and strengths, we can ensure we’re providing the best possible environment for our students.
Profile B: The "High-Risk" Educator
Profile A: The "High-Readiness" Educator
Profile B: The "High-Risk" Educator
- Total Score: 162/325 (Low Readiness)
- Key Traits: Rigid perfectionism, high evaluation anxiety, and potential for burnout.
Subscale Adjusted Score Interpretation
1. Calmness22/60Highly stressed; heart races during simple demonstrations.
2. Social Confidence18/50Avoids parents; feels "attacked" by student questions.
3. Mental Agility25/60
Rigid. Gets frustrated if students don't mimic them perfectly.
4. Teaching Range20/50Only teaches the way they were taught (Auditory/Visual only)
5. Warmth & Care32/50Sincere, but lacks empathy when a child is crying or scared.
6. Prof. Health45/55CRITICAL: High "Controlling Coaching" markers [6]. Uses sarcasm.Assessment Summary: This teacher is at high risk for Insecure Attachment with students. Their high score in Subscale 6 (Red Flags) suggests they may project their own performance anxiety onto the children, leading to a "fear of failure" culture in the classroom.