Talk:Square dance program

Comment
I dont think comparing the A1 A2 split to the C1 C2 C3a C3b C4 split is accurate as Advanced is officialy one level and Challenge is 4 or five levls depending on whether you consider 3a and 3b a split or two seperate levels

Speculation, Inaccuracies, Missing Programs
This article contains interpretation and personal commentary on the dance programs, and is factually inaccurate.

To begin with, it is inaccurate about how many CALLERLAB programs there are, and their names.

For examle, it does not mention the BASIC program, which is two lists. It seemingly folds them into the MAINSTREAM program. Most likely the editor is from the USA, where there are few clubs that dance the BASIC program. Elsewhere (Europe, Japan, Australia, etc.) they have BASIC clubs as well as MAINSTREAM.

Another major issue, which can be forgiven because it's new, is the recent adoption by CALLERLAB of the "SSD (Social Square Dance)" program. This program is similar to BASIC or MAINSTREAM, but is a slightly different idea. Rather than an implied starting program for "moving up the levels", it is a "destination" program. It's their latest push to make square dancing more accessible, with a shorter learning period, and without social pressure to e.g. move to MAINSTREAM or PLUS (or ADVANCED...) It is a very controversial issue within CALLERLAB and the dancer community. Misunderstanding and misinformation about SSD is rampant. If you thought this page is bad now, I can hardly wait for the SSD stuff to start appearing.

As mentioned in prior commentary by others, the stuff about splitting the other programs and so forth contains speculation.

I've been personally around for all of it and involved in CALLERLAB, (and outside, in the Challenge commuity) for over four decades. And my cohorts have been in it for over 60 years. Maybe I can make some improvements to the article. I'll try to give citations.