Illinois Acceleration Act
District 34 believes that all students across the achievement spectrum should be challenged and supported to develop their potential. For some students needing a higher level of instruction, this can best be achieved by affording them access to curricula and learning environments more commonly provided to older students. In accordance with the Illinois Acceleration Act state mandate 105 ILCS 5/14A-32, early entrance to kindergarten, early entrance to first grade, whole grade acceleration, and individual subject acceleration in math or reading has been integrated into D34 policies and procedures.
Acceleration applications should be submitted by March to ensure adequate time for each step in the assessment and review process. Any application that is submitted after the first day of a new school year will be seen as candidates for the following school year.
Acceleration
Math Acceleration
ELA Acceleration
Process for consideration for Single-Subject Reading Acceleration:
The District 34 Gifted Program will automatically screen and identify students in 3rd through 8th grades. Once a student has been identified for the gifted program, the gifted teacher will tailor instruction to the ability and achievement level of each student, regardless of grade level.
Assessment Data Reviewed:
| Test Name | Score Needed |
|---|---|
| K - 5: AimsWeb Plus Literacy Benchmark |
Composite score of at least the 95th percentile for the grade level for which the student is applying to join. The average percentile of the most recent two administrations is used for this measure. |
| 3 - 8: NWEA MAP Reading Benchmark | Two RIT scores from the last three administrations of the MAP test must be in the 95th percentile or above for the grade level for which the student is applying to join. (See chart for target RIT) |
|
CogAT |
SAS score must be in at least the 95th percentile. |
-
Team consisting of District 34 administrators and teachers. All data including parent and teacher feedback is reviewed.
-
Matrix was modeled after the IOWA Acceleration Scale.
Whole-Grade Acceleration
Process for consideration for Whole-Grade Acceleration:
Assessment Data Reviewed:
| Test Name | Score Needed |
|---|---|
|
K - 2: AimsWeb Plus Literacy Benchmark |
Composite score of at least the 95th percentile for the grade level for which the student is applying to join. The average percentile of the most recent two administrations is used for this measure. |
|
K - 2: AimsWeb Plus Math Benchmark |
Composite score of at least the 95th percentile for the grade level for which the student is applying to join. The average percentile of the most recent two administrations is used for this measure. |
| 3 - 8: NWEA MAP Reading Benchmark |
95th percentile for the grade level for which the student is applying to join. The average percentile of the highest four of the last five administrations is used for this measure to ensure consistent student performance. |
| 3 - 8: NWEA MAP Math Benchmark |
95th percentile for the course/grade level for which the student is applying to join. The average percentile of the highest four of the last five administrations is used for this measure to ensure consistent student performance. |
|
CogAT |
SAS score must be in at least the 95th percentile. |
| Math Content Test for the grade level to be skipped | 90% correct with no major skill deficiencies. |
-
Team consisting of District 34 administrators and teachers. All data including parent and teacher feedback is reviewed.
-
Matrix was modeled after the IOWA Acceleration Scale
District 34 already has a math acceleration program for students when they are in middle school that results in some students being two years ahead by the time they start high school. A student that is granted acceleration through the Acceleration Act will be instructed at a level one year above their own until they are in 5th grade.
Because of the natural acceleration in the District 34 math program, students who are granted math acceleration through the Acceleration Act prior to 5th grade must re-qualify upon completing a course in 5th grade math to determine which course will be most appropriate for them to take next. There are two possible outcomes for a 5th grader that is granted acceleration. They are:
- Single acceleration, in which the student would participate in an independent online math program during their 5th grade year. As a 6th grader, they would return to the District's math program pathway of Double Acceleration (two years acceleration).
- The other possibility is that the student would qualify for triple acceleration, which means they would travel to a District 34 middle school to participate in the 6th grade Double Accelerated pathway (accelerating an additional two years, totaling to three years of acceleration), in which students learn the 7th and 8th standards.
The schedule for students who are on an individual accelerated pathway can be isolating and can involve travel. This document shows an example of what can be expected: Single-Subject Acceleration Impact on Student Schedule.
Process for consideration for Single-Subject Math Acceleration:
1. Submit Acceleration Request Form.
Assessment Data Reviewed:
| Test Name | Score Needed |
|---|---|
|
K - 1: AimsWeb Plus Math Benchmark |
Composite score of at least the 95th percentile for the grade level for which the student is applying to join. The average percentile of the most recent two administrations is used for this measure. |
|
2 - 8: NWEA MAP Math Benchmark NWEA MAP Reading Benchmark |
Two RIT scores from the last three administrations of the MAP tests must be in the 95th percentile or above for the course/grade level for which the student is applying to join. (See chart for target RIT) For students that do not have historical NWEA data to consider, additional assessments may be added to this process to ensure consistency in student achievement. |
|
CogAT |
Quantitative score must be in at least the 95th percentile. |
| K - 8: Math Content Test for the grade level to be skipped | 90% correct with no major skill deficiencies. |
-
Team consisting of District 34 administrators and teachers. All data including parent and teacher feedback is reviewed.
-
Matrix was modeled after the IOWA Acceleration Scale
Early Entrance
Students may apply for early entrance to Kindergarten or First Grade.
Kindergarten
To be considered for early entrance to Kindergarten according to the policies of District 34 and the State of Illinois, children must turn 5 years of age by September 30 of their Kindergarten year.
Steps for Consideration for Early Entrance to Kindergarten:
First Grade
To be considered for early entrance to First Grade according to the policies of District 34 and the State of Illinois, children must meet the following criteria. The child:
- attended a non-public preschool and will complete kindergarten at that same facility.
- was taught by an appropriately certified kindergarten teacher.
- will turn 6 years of age between September 2 and December 31 of their first grade year.
Steps for Consideration for Early Entrance to First Grade:
| Day 1 (30-40 Minutes) | Day 2 (45 Minutes) |
|---|---|
|
AimsWeb Plus Literacy Benchmark (for the desired grade level) |
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Screener |
| AimsWeb Plus Math Benchmark (for the desired grade level) |
Point Determination Table:
| 2 Points | 1 Point | 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AimsWeb Literacy (Fall Norms) |
99%-95% |
94%-90% | <89% |
|
AimsWeb Math (Fall Norms) |
99%-95% | 94%-90% | <89% |
| CogAT | 99%-95% SAS | 94%-90% SAS | <89% SAS |
Point Totals and Results:
| Matrix Points Earned | Screening Results |
|---|---|
| 6 |
Early Entrance will be offered |
| 5 | Early Entrance will be offered |
| < 5 | Early Entrance will not be offered |
6. Results shared with parents via letter through email.
7. If granted, the Gifted Coordinator will notify the school about the student's acceleration.