Whole Grade Advancement (WGA) occurs when students move through traditional curriculum at rates faster than typical. It means matching the level and complexity of the curriculum with the readiness and motivation of the student. The student who is whole grade advanced is placed into the next grade and should achieve at the same level as the top students in the next grade. The student should be able to maintain this high level of performance throughout his/her school career.

Credit by demonstrated Mastery

Students may earn high school credit for specified courses without spending a set number of hours taking the course in a classroom.

Under the state’s Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) option, uniquely qualified students may “test out” or bypass a course if they have already mastered the content.

The program provides another opportunity for students to learn new content, to challenge themselves with the next level of rigor in a subject, and even graduate early. This option is not designed to replace existing accelerated pathways, such as the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program at WCPSS.

For more information, see this presentation: CDM at ECMMS and in Wake County Schools