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Illinois Association for Gifted Children |
ACADEMIC ACCELERATION: INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Read to learn about research behind acceleration and to access information about legislation pertaining to acceleration in Illinois school districts. |
| As defined in the influential report, A Nation Deceived (2004), acceleration is an educational intervention that moves students through an educational program at a faster than usual rate or younger than typical age. Acceleration means matching the level, complexity, and pace of the curriculum with the readiness and motivation of the student. As of July 1, 2018, all school districts in Illinois must have a fair and equitable acceleration policy that allows for early entrance to kindergarten and first grade, subject-based acceleration, and full grade acceleration for eligible students. |
Explore the links below to learn more about acceleration as an intervention to meet the needs of advanced and gifted learners.
FAQ Illinois Acceleration, Adapted from Minnesota Department of Education Acceleration FAQ developed by Wendy Behrens and Ohio Department of Education Acceleration FAQ developed by Eric Calvert.
A Nation Empowered, Assouline, S. G., Colangelo, N., VanTasselBaska, & Lupkowski-Shoplik, A. (2015) A nation empowered: Evidence trumps the excuses that hold back America’s brightest students. Acceleration Institute: Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa.
NAGC Tip Sheet: Acceleration, Written by Drs. Keri Guilbault and Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, this concise resource is one of a series produced by the National Association for Gifted Children.
Acceleration Institute Parent Page, Contains important research on acceleration from the Acceleration Institute at the Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa.
Acceleration Study - Vanderbilt University (2020) Long Term Implications of Acceleration for Students
Academic Acceleration: Is it Right for My Child? This article by Susan Scheibel, Ed.D. covers a number of topics related to acceleration. It also provides parents advice on how to advocate for acceleration if they think it is a an appropriate intervention for their child. from the NAGC Parenting for Potential Magazine (2012)
Illinois Accelerated Placement Act, Link to the IAGC webpage summarizing the requirements of the Illinois Accelerated Placement Act which provides that districts have a policy for grade level acceleration, early entrance to first grade and kindergarten, and content acceleration.