Acceleration Guidelines

RSU #22 is committed to maximizing learning for all students through rigor, relevancy, and relationships. This commitment includes providing education with high academic standards, which will promote the maximum academic, social, emotional, and physical development of each student.

For the majority of academically advanced or gifted students, in-class differentiation combined with services offered through RSU 22's Gifted and Talented Program (Explorers) provides the learning opportunities needed for advanced students to be challenged. The District also makes whole-grade acceleration available for appropriately selected students. Participation in acceleration is based on individually identified needs and is considered on a case-by-case basis. Acceleration is an intervention that moves academically advanced or gifted students through an educational program at rates faster, or at younger ages, than typical. The goal is to tailor the level, complexity, and pace of the curriculum to the readiness and motivation of the student. All of the following criteria will be considered:

K-2 3-5 6-8
Identified as academically talented Identified as academically talented
Significantly above grade level on academic work NWEA Scores consecutively 98th percentile or above NWEA Scores consecutively 98th percentile or above
Significantly above grade level scores in district academic assessments Significantly above grade level scores in district academic assessments and classroom work Significantly above grade level scores in district academic assessments and classroom work
Displays full mastery of current grade level material Displays full mastery of current grade level material Displays full mastery of current grade level material
CogAT cognitive scores of 98-99th percentile  CogAT cognitive scores of 98-99th percentile 
Minimum of DRA 24 (Kinder) Mature and self-motivated Mature and self-motivated
Socially and emotionally mature Socially and emotional mature Socially and emotional mature

 

* Grade Acceleration for Kindergarten is not typically initiated before the third quarter *

This section describes the process for identifying and serving the small percentage of academically advanced or gifted students for whom more intense forms of intervention are necessary. The district uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), NWEA scores, and teacher recommendations for selecting students. Students must score in the 99th percentile on the CogAT to be recommended for whole-grade acceleration.

WHOLE-GRADE ACCELERATION PROCEDURES

A student, parents/guardian, teacher, or administrator may initiate whole-grade acceleration procedures by requesting a meeting with their building administrators and GT Director.

Step 1: Request a meeting with building administrators and the Gifted and Talented Director. 

Step 2: The Gifted and Talented Director reviews the request for whole grade acceleration, which includes critical items and student achievement data. Then, the Gifted and Talented Director will complete the whole grade acceleration packet. 

If any of the following critical items apply, whole grade acceleration is not recommended. However, the request should still be processed in order to use the information to consider alternatives for accelerating the student's academic experiences.

  • The student's CogAT score is less than 99th percentile
  • Student would be accelerated into the same grade as an older sibling.
  • Student presently has a sibling in the same grade as he or she.
  • Student indicates that s/he does not want to be whole grade accelerated.
  • Student would be skipping a grade that is considered a transition year.

Step 3: A meeting between parents, building administrators, and the Gifted and Talented Director commences to determine student needs.