Abstract: American dance education is deeply rooted in physical education. For more than 100 years since the end of the 19th century, dance education and physical education have been interdependent, struggling and compromising in both higher education and primary and secondary education, reflecting the “symbiotic effect”. Based on the perspective of social symbiosis theory, this paper systematically examines the centennial symbiosis of dance education and physical education in the United States, from the origin of shared physical activities, through the initiation, separation, and reconnection of dance with physical education in higher education to the integration of dance education and physical education in primary and secondary schools. The curriculum setting of dance program, the opening of dance interdisciplinary program, and the “integration of dance education and physical education in primary and secondary schools are worthy of our reference.

Key words: United States；physical education, dance education, Centennial symbiosis；Integrative development