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Kankakee School District 111

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Accelerated Placement

Accelerated Placement

Acceleration is part of the Multi-Tiered System of Support Framework where instruction is differentiated to meet students’ needs. Accelerated programming provides students with the level of content and pace of instruction matched to their readiness level. The process that the district will use for evaluating students for possible accelerated placement and identifying students who should be granted early admission to kindergarten or first grade, accelerated in one or more individual subject areas, or promoted to a higher grade level is described below. Participation in accelerated placement is not limited to those children who have been identified as gifted and talented, but rather is open to all children who demonstrate high ability and who may benefit from accelerated placement.

 

Accelerated Placement Program (APP)
Accelerated Placement Program is the placement of a student in an educational setting with a curriculum that is usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the student. Accelerated placement includes, but may not be limited to: 

  • Early entrance to kindergarten or first grade
  • Advancing students in a single subject area
  • Grade advancement
  • Advancing students to a higher competency or portfolio through Competency-Based Education (CBE)

  • Admission to kindergarten of a student who: (a) will not be five years of age on or before September 1 of that school term; or (b) is admitted prior to the dates established in the School Code based upon an assessment of his or her readiness to attend school. 

  • Admission to first grade of a student who: (a) is assessed for readiness, attended a non-public preschool and continued his or her education at that school through kindergarten, was taught in kindergarten by an appropriately certified teacher, and will attain the age of six years on or before December 31; or (b) is admitted prior to the dates established in the School Code based upon an assessment of his or her readiness to attend school. 

  • The practice of assigning a student to a higher subject level than is typical, given the student’s age, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities in one or more subject areas. It may be accomplished by either: (a) physically moving the student to a higher level class for instruction; or (b) using higher level curricular or study materials in the student’s current classroom. 

  • The practice of assigning a student to a higher grade level than is typical, given the student’s age, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities in all subject areas. Commonly referred to as skipping a grade, grade acceleration may be done at the beginning of or during the school term. 

  • The practice of moving students  from one level of learning to the next based on their understanding of predetermined competencies without regard to seat time, days, or hours.  It may be accomplished by either: (a) physically moving the student to a higher level class for instruction; or (b) using higher level curricular or study materials in the student’s current classroom. 

Processes

Referrals may be made by Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Licensed Educational Professionals, Student (with written consent of a parent/guardian), or Peer (through a licensed educational professional who has knowledge of the student’s abilities).

In addition to the above-noted individuals, referrals for possible early entrance to kindergarten or first grade may also come from: Preschool Educator, Nonpublic Kindergarten Teacher, Pediatrician, or Psychologist who knows the student. Referrals for early entrance or grade acceleration must be made 60 days prior to the start of the semester and shall be evaluated in advance of the start of the semester, so the child may be placed in accelerated placement on the first day of the semester. 

Referrals may be made using the Accelerated Placement Referral Form, by contacting the Building Principal or by contacting (815) 802-7733. Within 14 school days of receiving the referral, an initial meeting will be set up with the Parent(s)/Guardian(s), school and district personnel to determine whether an evaluation for accelerated placement is warranted. To determine whether an evaluation is warranted, the team may review existing data about the student, utilize screening data, and conduct preliminary procedures such as observation of the student, consultation with the teacher or other individual making the request, and a conference with the student.

Written Notice of the Referral Determination will be provided to the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s). For cases not warranting an evaluation, the process ends here or the student is referred to the Instructional Leader Team for further support. For cases warranting an evaluation an Identification of Needed Assessments and Evaluation for Accelerated Placement/Parent Consent Form for testing is signed by the Parent(s)/Guardian(s). test

An evaluation team will be convened (consisting of District teacher(s) and school support personnel, as appropriate) having the knowledge and skills necessary to: 

  1. Identify multiple valid, reliable indicators to use during the evaluation;
  2. Identify appropriate assessment instruments; Identification of Needed Assessments and Evaluation for Accelerated Placement/Parent Consent Form
  3. Administer said assessments; and 
  4. Interpret evaluation results. 

The composition of the team may vary depending upon the type of acceleration requested and other relevant factors. The evaluation team completes the evaluation within 60 school days following the date of receipt of a parent(s)’/guardian(s)’ written consent to conduct the evaluation. The evaluation is nondiscriminatory and follows policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities.

The Iowa Acceleration Scale – 3rd Edition will serve as a resource for decision making. The IAS-3 is a guide to discuss the strengths and difficulties for a child being considered for acceleration to help the team arrive at the best decision. 

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be provided with the Written Notice of Eligibility Determination:

  1. If the student is found eligible for the Accelerated Placement Program, the school will prepare and provides parent(s)/guardian(s) with a written plan detailing the type of acceleration the student will receive and strategies to support the student. 
  2. If the student is not found eligible for the Accelerated Placement Program, the school will provide parent(s)/guardian(s) with written notice of their right to appeal the eligibility determination, within five calendar days after receiving the determination, by submitting a written request to the Superintendent.
     

Appeals Process

If desired, within 30 calendar days after receiving written notice that student is not eligible for the APP, a parent or legal guardian of the referred student may submit a written appeal to the Superintendent.

Within 30 calendar days after receiving the written appeal request, the Superintendent reviews the case and provides parent(s)/guardian(s) with written notice of his/her decision. The Superintendent’s decision is final. 
 

Written Notice of the Referral Determination Identification of Needed Assessments and Evaluation Written Notice of Eligibility Determination

Board Policy

Research on Acceleration

  • Referrals may be made by Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Licensed Educational Professionals, Student (with written consent of a parent/guardian), or Peer (through a licensed educational professional who has knowledge of the student’s abilities).

    In addition to the above-noted individuals, referrals for possible early entrance to kindergarten or first grade may also come from: Preschool Educator, Nonpublic Kindergarten Teacher, Pediatrician, or Psychologist who knows the student. Referrals for early entrance or grade acceleration must be made 60 days prior to the start of the semester and shall be evaluated in advance of the start of the semester, so the child may be placed in accelerated placement on the first day of the semester. 

    Referrals may be made using the Accelerated Placement Referral Form, by contacting the Building Principal or by contacting (815) 802-7733. Within 14 school days of receiving the referral, an initial meeting will be set up with the Parent(s)/Guardian(s), school and district personnel to determine whether an evaluation for accelerated placement is warranted. To determine whether an evaluation is warranted, the team may review existing data about the student, utilize screening data, and conduct preliminary procedures such as observation of the student, consultation with the teacher or other individual making the request, and a conference with the student.

    Written Notice of the Referral Determination will be provided to the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s). For cases not warranting an evaluation, the process ends here or the student is referred to the Instructional Leader Team for further support. For cases warranting an evaluation an Identification of Needed Assessments and Evaluation for Accelerated Placement/Parent Consent Form for testing is signed by the Parent(s)/Guardian(s). test

  • An evaluation team will be convened (consisting of District teacher(s) and school support personnel, as appropriate) having the knowledge and skills necessary to: 

    1. Identify multiple valid, reliable indicators to use during the evaluation;
    2. Identify appropriate assessment instruments; Identification of Needed Assessments and Evaluation for Accelerated Placement/Parent Consent Form
    3. Administer said assessments; and 
    4. Interpret evaluation results. 

    The composition of the team may vary depending upon the type of acceleration requested and other relevant factors. The evaluation team completes the evaluation within 60 school days following the date of receipt of a parent(s)’/guardian(s)’ written consent to conduct the evaluation. The evaluation is nondiscriminatory and follows policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities.

    The Iowa Acceleration Scale – 3rd Edition will serve as a resource for decision making. The IAS-3 is a guide to discuss the strengths and difficulties for a child being considered for acceleration to help the team arrive at the best decision. 

    Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be provided with the Written Notice of Eligibility Determination:

    1. If the student is found eligible for the Accelerated Placement Program, the school will prepare and provides parent(s)/guardian(s) with a written plan detailing the type of acceleration the student will receive and strategies to support the student. 
    2. If the student is not found eligible for the Accelerated Placement Program, the school will provide parent(s)/guardian(s) with written notice of their right to appeal the eligibility determination, within five calendar days after receiving the determination, by submitting a written request to the Superintendent.
       

  • Appeals Process

    If desired, within 30 calendar days after receiving written notice that student is not eligible for the APP, a parent or legal guardian of the referred student may submit a written appeal to the Superintendent.

    Within 30 calendar days after receiving the written appeal request, the Superintendent reviews the case and provides parent(s)/guardian(s) with written notice of his/her decision. The Superintendent’s decision is final. 
     

  • Written Notice of the Referral Determination Identification of Needed Assessments and Evaluation Written Notice of Eligibility Determination

    Board Policy

    Research on Acceleration