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Grade acceleration occurs when students are placed in a grade level ahead of chronological age peers. Decisions to accelerate a student must be made by a team of professionals using a wide range of data. For students currently enrolled in Kindergarten through fifth grade, acceleration requests must be directed to your school principal. For students currently enrolled in sixth through eighth grade, requests must be directed to your school counselor or school administrator. Grade Acceleration for Elementary Students (Grades K-4)
Elementary students eligible for Grade Acceleration testing (Grades K-4 only) will be assessed in both Reading and Mathematics. Students take the TerraNova Achievement Test for the grade level into which the student may be promoted. In order to qualify for Grade Acceleration, students must score in the 90th percentile or above when normed nationally against students at the next grade level. In order to qualify for Grade Acceleration testing, students must demonstrate that they have mastered content at least one grade level above their current placement. This must be evident across multiple assessments.
Note: There are COMAR age requirements for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students. Therefore, students must be initially enrolled in the grade appropriate to their age as determined by the Maryland State Department of Education. An exception will only be granted for students who attended a public school in another state with a later age of entry AND the school can provide a transcript verifying attendance. After this initial enrollment, students may be considered for grade acceleration when evidence warrants consideration.For students seeking early entrance to Kindergarten, acceleration requests must be directed to the Coordinator of Early Childhood and School Readiness.
Grade Acceleration for Grade 5 Students
Because Grade 5 accelerated students take middle school courses, students eligible for grade acceleration testing may be considered for any of the following:
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Full Grade Acceleration to Grade 6
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Content Acceleration in Reading to Advanced English/Language Arts 6
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Content Acceleration in Mathematics to Math 6/7*
Students assessed for full grade acceleration will take the TerraNova Achievement Test in Reading and the Accelerated Math Screening Assessment. Students assessed for content acceleration will be tested in the applicable subject. The assessment administered will be for the grade level into which the student may be promoted. In order to qualify for Grade or Content Acceleration, students must score in the 90th percentile or above when normed nationally against students at the next grade level. In order to qualify for Grade Acceleration testing, students must demonstrate that they have mastered content at least one grade level above their current placement. This must be evident across multiple assessments.
Note: Students who are content accelerated to Advanced English/Language Arts 6 or Math 6/7 will take these courses virtually. There are no in-person options for these courses for Grade 5 students.
*Due to the highly compacted nature of Math 6/7, no requests for acceleration will be honored after the first semester.
Grade Acceleration for Middle School Students (Grades 6 and 7)Students in Grades 6 and 7 who are eligible for grade acceleration testing may be considered for any of the following:
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Full Grade Acceleration from Grade 6 to Grade 7 or Grade 7 to 8
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Content Acceleration in Reading to Advanced English/Language Arts*
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Content Acceleration in Mathematics to Math 6/7, Math 7/8, or Algebra I*
If students are assessed for full grade acceleration, they will take the TerraNova Achievement Test in Reading and the Accelerated Math Screening Assessment. Students who are assessed for content acceleration will be tested in the applicable subject. Students will take the assessment for the grade level into which the student may be promoted. In order to qualify for Grade or Content Acceleration, students must score in the 90th percentile or above when normed nationally against students at the next grade level. In order to qualify for Grade Acceleration testing, students must demonstrate that they have mastered content at least one grade level above their current placement. This must be evident across multiple assessments.
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