KSD 111 Accelerated Placement

Acceleration is part of the Multi-Tiered System of Support Framework where instruction is differentiated to meet students’ needs. Accelerated programming provides students with the level of content and pace of instruction matched to their readiness level. The process that the district will use for evaluating students for possible accelerated placement and identifying students who should be granted early admission to kindergarten or first grade, accelerated in one or more individual subject areas, or promoted to a higher grade level is described below. Participation in accelerated placement is not limited to those children who have been identified as gifted and talented, but rather is open to all children who demonstrate high ability and who may benefit from accelerated placement.

Accelerated Placement Program (APP)

Accelerated Placement Program is the placement of a student in an educational setting with a curriculum that is usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the student. Accelerated placement includes, but may not be limited to:

Early entrance to kindergarten or first grade
Advancing students in a single subject area
Grade advancement
Advancing students to a higher competency or portfolio through Competency-Based Education (CBE)

Referral Process

Evaluation Process

Appeals Process

Documents

Definitions

Early Entrance to Kindergarten

Admission to kindergarten of a student who: (a) will not be five years of age on or before September 1 of that school term; or (b) is admitted prior to the dates established in the School Code based upon an assessment of his or her readiness to attend school.

Early Entrance to First Grade

Admission to first grade of a student who: (a) is assessed for readiness, attended a non-public preschool and continued his or her education at that school through kindergarten, was taught in kindergarten by an appropriately certified teacher, and will attain the age of six years on or before December 31; or (b) is admitted prior to the dates established in the School Code based upon an assessment of his or her readiness to attend school.

Single Subject Acceleration

The practice of assigning a student to a higher subject level than is typical, given the student’s age, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities in one or more subject areas. It may be accomplished by either: (a) physically moving the student to a higher level class for instruction; or (b) using higher level curricular or study materials in the student’s current classroom.

Grade Acceleration

The practice of assigning a student to a higher grade level than is typical, given the student’s age, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities in all subject areas. Commonly referred to as skipping a grade, grade acceleration may be done at the beginning of or during the school term.

Competency Based Education (CBE)

The practice of moving students from one level of learning to the next based on their understanding of predetermined competencies without regard to seat time, days, or hours. It may be accomplished by either: (a) physically moving the student to a higher level class for instruction; or (b) using higher level curricular or study materials in the student’s current classroom.