Acceleration

It is the mission of the Prairie Grove School District to work in a "collaborative partnership with families and community to provide a secure environment of educational excellence where all belong, all learn and all succeed." We know students learn differently and at different rates. 

Acceleration is one of the most well known practices of educational intervention for highly capable individuals. It is a policy endorsed by the National Association for Gifted Children (2004). Acceleration moves students through an educational program at rates faster or at younger ages than the typical child. It means matching the level of complexity and pace of curriculum to the readiness and motivation of the student. Examples of acceleration my include, but are not limited to, early entrance to school, grade-skipping, moving ahead in one subject, enrolling in Pre-AP or AP courses, telescoping, credit by examinations and/or instructional strategies in the classroom such as compacting, which allows for more economic use of learning time in a specific subject. Acceleration is educationally effective, inexpensive, and can help level the playing field between students from rich schools and poor schools. 

Acceleration decisions should be made carefully with the needs of the whole child in mind. In making decisions about the appropriateness of a particular form of acceleration and the extent of acceleration for a given child at a given time, the Prairie Grove School District and parents will collaboratively consider the child's intellectual and academic profile, socio-emotional and physical development, and preferences and dispositions of the child relative to the decision since acceleration may not always be the most appropriate option for every child. 

Several factors can enhance the success of acceleration: (1) Positive attitudes of teachers; (2) Timeliness related to the decision; (3) Parental support; and (4) Careful monitoring of the implementation over time. 

Along with offering differentiated instruction and curriculum compacting when necessary, there may be a need to address of one thirteen acceleration practices as cited in the 2004 report "A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's Students: The Templeton National Report on Acceleration" from the University of Iowa. This report can be downloaded, free of charge by clicking here. Volume two of the report can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here. 

If you would like to start the process for recommending your child for acceleration, please complete the "Student Acceleration Process Request" form below and submit it to the GT Coordinator.