Acceleration in a subject area is the act of moving a student at least one grade level above his/her general grade level placement in a selected subject. The acceleration process should be a collaborative effort between the student, parent, classroom teacher(s), and building principal.
Students may request acceleration in middle school in a subject currently offered by completing an application.
Criteria:
Students being considered must demonstrate high levels of proficiency in the grade-level subject matter. The following criteria should be considered:
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A demonstrated need based on documented interventions tried in the regular classroom
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Standardized testing results
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Evidence of mastery of current grade-level subject matter
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A solid foundation of conceptual understanding to do well in the next level of the curriculum
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Student should also exhibit strong work habits, study skills, and the desire to be accelerated
Assessments:
For students meeting the above criteria, the school will administer assessments that address the most essential standards included in the course. The format may include a formal written test, performance-based assessment, demonstration of skills, interview, presentation, portfolio, etc. For year-long courses, there may be separate assessments for each trimester or the assessment(s) may be cumulative and cover all trimesters.
Students who receive a score of 80% or higher on the assessment(s) will be considered for subject acceleration.
Family responsibilities:
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A student’s family must submit an application for subject acceleration by the end of trimester 2 for the upcoming fall trimester, and by the end of trimester 3 for the upcoming spring trimester (of the following school year). Applications will be available through the counseling office.
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The student will have a maximum of four hours for the assessment(s) and must complete all portions of the assessment(s). During the assessment, the student may request clarification of items or project instructions from the assessment proctor.
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A student with an IEP or 504 plan will receive necessary accommodations, per their plan.
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The student and his/her family needs to understand that if the student accelerates into a high school course and takes a course at WBLAHS that is not offered at the middle school, this will initiate their high school experience at that time. The grade for that course will be figured into their high school GPA.
School responsibilities:
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The school will provide the student with a course syllabus to help prepare for the assessment(s).
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A teacher of the course will submit the end of course assessment(s) for review. A team comprised of a teacher of the course, curriculum or building leader, principal or principal’s designee, along with additional members as necessary, will confirm the assessment or set of assessments. Modifications, additions or deletions may be made to an assessment to ensure the essential standards for the course constitute the focus of the assessment.
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Teachers will be compensated for time outside their normal duty day spent modifying, proctoring and/or evaluating the assessment.
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The proctor of the assessment(s) will score the assessment(s) and report the scores to the team identified above in step 2.
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The team identified in step 2 will evaluate the scored assessment(s) and will inform the student’s family of the result. The decision of the team is final.
Please also refer to School Board Policy 513 - Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design.
