Acceleration

“Acceleration” is placement in an advanced level class or grade without taking all consecutive courses, or skipping a grade. Parents/Guardians of gifted students consider acceleration for a variety of reasons. The district accelerates students when appropriate after a careful evaluation of the student’s level of performance and readiness.

There are four forms of acceleration, including; early entrance to kindergarten, whole-grade acceleration (“grade skipping”), acceleration in individual subject areas (referred to as single subject acceleration), and early high school graduation. Parents/Guardians considering acceleration should contact the child’s principal for information about referring the child for evaluation. Acceleration testing is typically completed in the spring and/or summer and can take up to 60 days to complete.


Subject Acceleration

In a few instances, a student’s ability in a particular subject area may be so advanced that their needs are best met by an above grade-level curriculum. Subject acceleration is considered by a whole team that includes the parent/guardian, building staff, administrators, and a representative from the gifted department. Multiple data points are considered when determining subject-acceleration for a child. This process begins through a discussion with the classroom/subject area teacher and the building principal. Acceleration testing is typically completed in the spring and/or summer and can take up to 60 days to complete.


Whole Grade Acceleration

In even fewer instances, a student’s ability and achievement across the entire curriculum may be so advanced that their educational needs may be best met at a higher grade-level. The decision to meet a student’s needs through whole grade acceleration is made very carefully and takes into account both academics and the social and emotional needs of the student. Whole grade acceleration is considered by a team that includes the parent/guardian, building staff, administrators, and a representative from the gifted department. Multiple data points are considered and, as required by the Ohio Department of Education, are processed through the Iowa Acceleration Scale. This process begins through a discussion with classroom/subject area teacher(s) and the building principal. Acceleration testing is typically completed in the spring and/or summer and can take up to 60 days to complete.


Early Graduation

Some students take advantage of the option to graduate in less than 4 years. This is processed through the counseling department at the high school and requires the student to meet the credit requirements of graduation as determined by the Ohio Department of Education guidelines and Talawanda School District guidelines.


Early Entrance to Kindergarten or First Grade

Parents who see evidence that their student is advanced in ability and achievement can consider early entrance to kindergarten or first grade. Early entrance considerations are made in the spring and summer for the following year. The process involves ability and above-level testing and team consideration of social/emotional factors that will affect the student in the classroom.

Kindergarten has changed. It is now an academically rigorous program that stresses language arts and math, as well as social and emotional development.

  • Talawanda Schools requires that children entering kindergarten must be five years old by August 1st of their kindergarten year. Occasionally, exceptions to this policy are granted for children whose potential and skills are in the very superior range, and who reside in the Talawanda school district. Talawanda Schools has specific criteria and procedures for considering parents requests for early entrance.

  • Early entrance to kindergarten is for children who turn 5 after August 1st BUT before January 1st.

  • The decision for a child to enter school early can have a profound effect on his or her academic and social performance for the remainder of the child’s school career. Since early entrance is equivalent to grade acceleration and because Talawanda Schools takes this decision very seriously, the standards for early entry are very rigorous. The goal is to ensure that children are not frustrated by the challenges of the kindergarten program and the effect that early placement has on years to come.

  • Parents interested in early entrance should pick up a packet from their home school office. The early entrance application should be filled out and returned to the gifted coordinator in the district. These are due to the school office by June 1st of the summer before the requested school year.

  • Acceleration testing is typically completed in the spring and/or summer and can take up to 60 days to complete.