Best Practices of Acceleration by Taren Long https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w How to Accelerate Learning for Gifted Students en-us 2021-11-08 14:38:39 UTC 2025-12-06 15:00:47 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4a1.png Top 5 reasons to accelerate learning for gifted students. tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875316541 1. Acceleration is the most effective curriculum intervention for gifted children.
2. Gifted children are better matched in terms of maturity and curriculum development with older peers.
3. There is abundant research about the success and viability of acceleration. Most problems with acceleration have stemmed from incomplete or poor planning.
4. Testing is highly effective in identifying students who would benefit from acceleration.
5. There are a multitude of acceleration options that have been shown to benefit gifted students both academically and socially. 
These will expanded upon in the three following categories: Grade-Based Acceleration, Content-Specific Acceleration, and Extended Learning Opportunities]]> 2021-11-08 14:54:39 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875316541 Citations: tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875354922 Barbra Norton (2009). Curriculum Compacting [Slide], Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://player.slideplayer.com/82/13533624/slides/slide_8.jpg

Colangelo, N., Assouline, S.G., Gross, M. U. M. (2004). A nation deceived: How schools hold back America's brightest students. The Templeton National Report on Acceleration, 15. http://www.accelerationinstitute.org/Nation_Deceived/ND_v1.pdf

Davidson Institute (2015, March 17). Types of acceleration. Davidson Institute. https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/types-of-acceleration

De Valk, Penny (Author). (2016). Mentoring: [Graphic] Future Talent. https://www.changeboard.com/images/7081/default/mentoring-3-.jpg

Desmond, M./Warner Bros. Entertainment. (2018). “Gluons, Guacamole, and the Color Purple” – Pictured: Sheldon (Iain Armitage)[Photograph]. https://www.telltaletv.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/112210_WB_0214b.jpg

Stop wasting money teaching millions of students content they already know. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute. (2016, September 19). Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://fordhaminstitute.org/ohio/commentary/stop-wasting-money-teaching-millions-students-content-they-already-know. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:05:43 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875354922 Mentoring tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875359870 Mentorship in student’s area of interest]]> 2021-11-08 15:07:10 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875359870 Extra-Curricular Programs tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875361293 Students enroll in after school or summer programs that offer advanced instruction and/or credit.

]]> 2021-11-08 15:07:30 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875361293 Distance Learning or Online Learning Opportunities tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875362529 Often paid for by parents, students enroll in online course and earn advanced credit for work that is completed. 

]]> 2021-11-08 15:07:51 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875362529 Credit by Examination tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875363354 Students earn credit by demonstrating mastery of material through independent study or internship experiences. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:08:05 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875363354 Students may enter/be promoted from an entire grade earlier than is typical. tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875367978 2021-11-08 15:09:17 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875367978 Early admission to Kindergarten or First Grade tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875369415  Student enters kindergarten or first grade earlier than is typical. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:09:42 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875369415 Whole Grade Skipping tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875370132 Student is moved ahead an entire grade level in order to be academically challenged. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:09:55 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875370132 Early Entrance into middle, high school, or college tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875370977 Students enter next level of schooling at least one year earlier than expected. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:10:09 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875370977 Early graduation from high school or college tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875371747 Students graduate college in 3.5 years or less, accomplished through increasing coursework undertaken each year, dual enrollment, distance learning, or other programs. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:10:22 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875371747 Students may complete more than the typical amount of coursework in a particular year. This can occur through adjusted pacing and content being taught, as well as through specialized programs that provide additional rigor. These are usually content-specific. tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875373330 2021-11-08 15:10:50 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875373330 Continuous Progress tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875374201 The teacher moves at students’ paces, even when it goes beyond the traditional pace of their peers. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:11:05 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875374201 Self-Paced Instruction tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875375394 Similar to contiguous progress, but the student controls the pace of instruction rather than the teacher.]]> 2021-11-08 15:11:26 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875375394 Content-Based Acceleration tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875376147 Students are placed with older peers or have higher curricula material within their original classroom. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:11:38 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875376147 Combined Classes tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875376760 Multiple grades are taught in the same classroom. (Note this option is typically grade-level acceleration, but often has areas where students are working at different levels based on background in particular subject areas.)

]]> 2021-11-08 15:11:49 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875376760 Curriculum Compacting tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875377578 Teachers adapt curriculum based on pre-assessment data. 

Barbra Norton (2009). Curriculum Compacting [Slide], Retrieved November 14, 2021, from 
]]> 2021-11-08 15:12:02 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875377578 Telescoping Curriculum tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875379209 Content is taught in less time than is typical. For example, all of middle school content may be taught in two years rather than three.]]> 2021-11-08 15:12:29 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875379209 Concurrent/Dual Enrollment tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875380110 Take a class in one place and earn credit that transfers to another institution as well. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:12:45 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875380110 Advanced Placement (AP) program tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875381010 Students enroll in AP courses through high school, take AP test, and earn college credit for work completed.

]]> 2021-11-08 15:13:00 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875381010 International Baccalaureate program tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875381567 Program offered at some schools, with possibility to receive additional standing at select universities depending on IB test scores. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:13:11 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875381567 Accelerated/Honors High School on College Campus tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875382613 Students complete high school graduation requirements in tandem with college coursework offered at specific colleges. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:13:30 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875382613 Acceleration in College tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875383806 Students complete two or more majors in 4 years or earn an advanced degree in lieu of bachelors. ]]> 2021-11-08 15:13:50 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1875383806 Grade-Based Acceleration tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889295853 Grade-Based acceleration has been used at my school, usually for early admission to Kindergarten or First Grade.]]> 2021-11-14 14:47:44 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889295853 Some background tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889297274 I teach at a k-8 public Charter school. This means we follow the rest of the public school requirements in terms of providing adequate programs for gifted and talented students. However, we have a lot of flexibility in how we work with our students to provide these opportunities.]]> 2021-11-14 14:48:52 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889297274 Content-Based Acceleration tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889300637 This is used frequently in my school, from k-8. We have teachers use self-pased and continuous progress instruction to continually monitor students' progress with learning content and helping them move on to learn new content.

We used to have combination 2/3 and 4/5th grade classes, though the school has expanded a bit and they do not continue this currently. By middle school, students are sometimes placed in content-based acceleration courses. ]]> 2021-11-14 14:51:20 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889300637 My Personal Experience tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889304921 I have had students who scored 100% on my pre-test for a math course, and while it would have been wonderful to put them in a course with older students, there simply weren't any higher courses available at the school. Some years, we have had students take a first period class at a local high school and then get driven to our middle school for the rest of the day. (Unfortunately, in our most recent year, they didn't offer an "honors" level of the 9th grade math course during first period, so it was difficult to meet the needs of the students participating in the program.) With this group, I have also utilized online learning opportunities to provide instruction when I didn't have enough periods in the school day to teach another course. Gifted students were enrolled in an online math class with me there to answer questions and discuss applications.

I frequently use curriculum compacting, using pre-test data to determine what students know, and focus their learning on new important content rather than reteaching what they already know.]]> 2021-11-14 14:54:45 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889304921 Extended Learning Opportunities tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889308401 We have some community mentors who worked with students during out electives period. For example, one year a group of gifted students designed and built a hoverboard. We have also had some work with coding mentors to build and program robots outside of the school day.
There are a few other acceleration opportunities we have offered that align more with project-based learning. For example, this year the school got chickens, and 5th grade gifted students have started an egg-selling business. They had to determine the costs of raising and feeding the chickens so they could set a price point for selling the eggs, and have worked on advertising as well, learning business and leadership skills along with mathematics and graphic design.]]> 2021-11-14 14:57:30 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889308401 Egg Order Form tmlong https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889317793 Check out the egg order form the kids helped make! I don't have any digital copies of their flyers, though!]]> 2021-11-14 15:04:45 UTC https://padlet.com/tmlong/q1su6rb5h9g0y39w/wish/1889317793