Talent Development and Acceleration Services (TDAS)
Acceleration Guidelines
Single Subject Acceleration
Single subject acceleration involves the assigning of a student to a higher grade level content
area than is typical, given the student’s chronological age, for the purpose of accessing
appropriate learning opportunities in one or more subject areas. Students typically remain with
peers of the same age and grade for most of the school day but receive higher grade level
instruction in one or more specific areas. It is recommended that teachers work with
differentiation strategies in the classroom prior to making a recommendation for single subject
acceleration. If it is determined that in-class differentiation is not sufficient to support student
learning, then the steps below should be taken to determine the appropriateness of single
subject acceleration.
• A student may initially be referred by a parent/legal guardian, teacher, schooladministrator or staff member. Referrals are forwarded to the building principal for
evaluation for possible acceleration. A student may refer himself or herself through a
district staff member who has knowledge of the referred student’s abilities.
SINGLE SUBJECT ACCELERATION REQUEST
Parents, teachers or administration may submit a single-subject acceleration request in writing
for students. The request is submitted to the school administration.
Recommendations for full grade acceleration consideration:
•
•
•
Student has consistently demonstrated mastery in the subject and grade they are
currently enrolled in.
or
Show the capacity to master all material in the subject and grade they are currently
enrolled in.
Initial Indicators: Class and building assessments, standardized tests.
Procedures
1. Read the information from MDE regarding acceleration.
2. Submit a formal request to site administration utilizing the Single Subject Acceleration
forms.
If you have follow-up questions, you can email or call your building administrator, the
accelerated services coordinator (gifted coordinator), or contact district Talent Development and
Acceleration Services (TDAS), and we will be happy to discuss individual concerns or questions
with you.
Request for Single Subject Acceleration
TO BE COMPLETED BY CLASSROOM TEACHER
St. Paul Public Schools is committed to the success of each student. It is imperative that all students are
receiving academic challenges that are appropriate for them to excel. Single Subject acceleration is
an intervention that provides students with an accelerated experience in a subject area with students who
are in a grade and typical age-range above their present grade and age-range in a specific subject.
According to the Minnesota Department of Education:
Most good candidates for acceleration display some of the following characteristics:
• ჼ demonstrates above average general cognitive ability;
• ჼ achieves academically in one or more subject areas a grade level or at a higher level
•
than his or her age-mates;
• ჼ expresses a desire for more challenging instruction;
• ჼ is socially mature enough to adapt to an environment serving older students; or
• ჼ responds positively to the possibility of acceleration.
____________________________________________________________________________________
STUDENT NAME:________________________________ CIF:__________ GRADE:_______
SCHOOL:_______________________ TEACHER:___________________________________
PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S):_____________________________________________________
PHONE:__________________________ EMAIL:_____________________________________
SUBJECT UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR ACCELERATION:__________________________
PRESENT GRADE:__________ GRADE RECOMMENDED TO ACCELERATE TO:_________
INDIVIDUAL INITIATING THE REQUEST: _________________________________________
RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT:__________________________________________________
PROVIDE THE RATIONALE FOR ACCELERATING THE STUDENT TO THE GRADE LISTED ABOVE
(PLEASE BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE):
PROVIDE THE DIFFERENTIATION AND ACCELERATION SUPPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN UTILIZED
BELOW:
DIFFERENTIATION OR
SUPPORT:
LENGTH OF
IMPLEMENTATION:
Curriculum Compacting
Change in Pace/Depth
SUCCESSFUL:
COMMENTS:
Y or N
Y or N
Y or N
Y or N
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
SIGNATURES
TEACHER:__________________________________________ DATE:__________________
PRINCIPAL/DESIGNEE:_______________________________ DATE: _________________
PLEASE SIGN BELOW TO PERMIT ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS IF NECESSARY TO
COMPLETE THE EVALUATION FOR ACCELERATION:
PARENT/GUARDIAN:____________________________________ DATE:_______________
SUBMIT THIS FORM TO THE ACCELERATION COORDINATOR OR BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR. IF
THE SCHOOL SITE DETERMINES THAT SINGLE SUBJECT ACCELERATION IS APPROPRIATE,
PLESE FORWARD A COPY TO THE DISTRICT TDAS OFFICE: [email protected].
REFERENCES
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/skipping-a-grade-pros-and-cons/
http://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/national-standards-gifted-and-talentededucation
http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/giftededucation/Pages/default.aspx
http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/StuSuc/GiftEd/
http://www.sycamoreschools.org/documents/contentdocuments/doc_23_5_1702.pdf