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RATIONALE
Acceleration takes a growth mindset and strengths-based strategic approach. This provides an opportunity to help children build on what they know and are able to do in order to accelerate learning. This is always a beneficial strategy in the early grades (at this level there is really not much to remediate as development happens at all different times for young children). It is, however, particularly beneficial in the post-COVID-19 context as educators are seeking to build student knowledge and skills as fast as possible; this is built through acceleration. Additionally, adopting an acceleration approach helps to double down efforts to narrow inequities and does so by centering the problem on the system and not on children and families.
"Teaching grade-level material, while stopping to supply missing, underlying skills as they become necessary — acceleration — is a strategy some researchers have found promising."
The 74 Million
Learn more about the research and data behind learning acceleration in this article.
CONCRETE STRATEGIES
CONCRETE STRATEGIES
DISTRICT-LEVEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Flexible Grouping with Differentiated Instruction
Encourage schools to use flexible grouping based on real-time, informal assessments to reteach skills immediately following a lesson. Avoid the use of over-generalized/permanent ability grouping that impedes progress.
Train teachers in high-quality differentiated instructions so that they have the skills needed to continuously, intentionally group students based on skill sets and conduct meaningful formative assessments with adjustments in instruction happening in real-time.
CAMPUS-LEVEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Consistent Routines and Procedures
Spend the first six weeks establishing strong classroom routines and procedures to help students grow as independent learners; this will allow teachers the ability to accelerate and differentiate learning throughout the remainder of the year.
2. High-Quality Tier 1 Instruction
Focus on high-quality Tier 1 instruction that is developmentally appropriate, play-based, and open-ended.
3. Open-Ended Instructional Materials
Utilize open-ended instructional materials that promote thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Blocks, Legos, art supplies, writing utensils, and even empty cardboard boxes are examples of the kinds of materials that support critical thinking. Provide an ample supply of a material to allow children to fully explore.
TEACHER-LEVEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Cultivate Engagement Environments
Create engaging classroom environments that support active learning and function as the third teacher in a classroom.
2. Build on Strengths
Promote a strengths-based approach by leveraging children’s existing skills and interests as a bridge to new learning; avoid focusing on skills deficits.
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Watch the Learning Policy Institute's webinar on Accelerating Learning: Equity-Centered Strategies to Support Students
View research from TNTP’s report and webinar: ACCELERATE, DON’T REMEDIATE: New Evidence from Elementary Math Classrooms
Read about the disparities in access to grade-level content in TNTP’s report on The Opportunity Myth (although mostly about middle and high school, the principles discussed are applicable to early childhood as well)
Use the Learning Acceleration Guide to make a plan to accelerate all students back to grade-level in the upcoming 3-5 years
Use the Assignment Review Protocol to assess the quality of assignments students are asked to complete (This resource is particularly helpful for 2nd grade)
Get a better understanding of why Learning Acceleration is the best strategy in this presentation by the Commit Partnership
Read EdWeek’s Understanding Learning ‘Acceleration’: Going Slow to Go Fast, which specifically focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy as well as English-Language acquisition
Read the LEGO Foundation’s reports to learn how play can help harness children’s creativity in the classroom and promote equitably academic growth:
Share tips from the LEGO Foundation’s Family Play Breaks with parents so that they can support creative play at home
Find high-quality books and web resources to support children’s development in STEM in NAEYC’s Growing in STEM: STEM Resources and Materials for Engaging Learning Experiences
Read Loose Parts: Inspiring Play in Young Children by Lisa Daly & Miriam Beloglovsky (see the companion article below)
Read Loose Parts: Inspiring Play in Young Children to learn what Loose Parts are and why they can be valuable tools in the classroom (this is a companion article to the book referenced above)
Watch Provoking Inquiry with Loose Parts, by Miriam Beloglovsky and Diane Spahn to learn the value of loose parts in the classroom and how to curate the materials needed for their effective use
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