Single Subject Acceleration (SSA)
SSA Test Request Window is April 1-12, 2024.
The 2024 Test Request Window will be April 1-12, 2024. SSA testing will take place between April 22 and May 6, 2024.
Families may request SSA Testing via this online form: SSA Testing request form
If you would prefer to complete a paper copy, please contact Ann Poisson at 919-856-7737 or apoisson@wcpss.net.
ecr-xamn-ktu (2024-03-22 09:16 GMT-4)SSA Presentation from the March 22, 2024 Bagels with Brower. It is about 15 minutes long.
2023-24 SSA Parent Presentation Slides
Students meeting qualifying criteria in grades K-7 can take advanced academic content in mathematics or English Language Arts through Single Subject Acceleration (SSA). This ensures opportunities for appropriate levels of academic challenge. Only students who are currently enrolled and attending a WCPSS school during the open nomination and testing window are eligible to be considered for SSA.
What is Single Subject Acceleration?
SSA allows students to skip a grade level of content in either English Language Arts or mathematics. Students who prove mastery of a grade level's content standards may move on to the next level.
How does a child qualify?
Students will be assessed at their school based upon grade level. Depending on grade level and subject, this could include a multiple-choice test and/or a writing sample. Ms. Poisson and your child's classroom teacher will have more specific information about this process once your child is nominated.
Assessment Requests & Testing Windows
The Spring 2023-24 SSA Test Request Window is April 1-12, 2024.
FAQs about SSA
Is My Child a Good Candidate for SSA?
Consider your child’s social and emotional maturity. Your child will be taking classes with peers who may be older or they will be working on their own.
Consider your child’s organizational skills and ability to focus.
Your child will be skipping an entire year’s worth of content and background knowledge. The AIG teacher and homeroom teachers are not responsible for covering any content your child skipped as a result of receiving SSA services.
If your child qualifies for SSA in math or ELA in elementary or middle school, some courses take place online. During the school day, students participate independently in these online courses.
SSA may result in a different class schedule. To accommodate your child's academic needs, the school may assign your child a nontraditional schedule. The final decision about scheduling will be made by the principal at each school.
SSA Assessment Information
Assessment for SSA will include above-grade level tests to establish mastery of the foundational skills and content this course /subject requires.
Kindergarten students looking to skip first grade math or ELA:
Math: The student must receive a level 3 on each of the individual constructed response tasks without assistance on the 1st Grade NCDPI Summative Math Assessment.
ELA: the student must score in the 95th percentile or higher compared to end of year first grade performance on the end of year reading assessment AND score proficient (level 4) on a writing prompt.
1st-5th grade students looking to skip the next grade's math or ELA:
Math: At least 80% correct on Acceleration Assessment for the grade requested to skip. The test will include multiple choice and gridded response assessment items with both calculator active and inactive sections.
English/Language Arts: The student must earn at least 85% correct on Acceleration Assessment AND score proficient (level 4) on a scored writing prompt for elementary school.
Can I help my child prepare?
Special preparation is not required. If you wish, students may review the content standards for the course or subject area that they are seeking to demonstrate mastery.
North Carolina State Standard Course of Study Links: ELA NC State Standard Course of Study and Math NC State Standard Course of Study
Will I receive the results?
Acceleration assessments will be reported as percent correct.
Due to test security, items on the test will not be able to be reviewed on any Acceleration Assessment. There will not be a breakdown of question by question response available.
Eligibility to accelerate is based on meeting the criteria described above.
What if my child does not qualify?
Students who do not meet the criteria for SSA will take their grade-level math and reading classes. There are other accelerative opportunities available at our school. Please reach out to your child's teacher or Ms. Poisson to learn about your child's options for enrichment. If you wish to request testing again, all students will have an opportunity to test again during the spring of the following school year.