Illinois Acceleration Act
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
District 34 automatically places top-performing students with like-minded, same-age peers starting in 3rd grade for ELA and 4th grade for math. By 6th grade, students may become eligible for a math pathway that accelerates them by up to two years, allowing them to take Algebra in 7th grade. This rigorous path aligns with all District 225 sender schools.
For acceleration beyond this, a student must show historical data with no same-age peers who perform at similar levels. If approved under the Acceleration Act before 6th grade, students remain with their grade-level math class but receive supplemental enrichment until formal acceleration begins. The student will automatically be placed in the most rigorous accelerated pathway in 6th grade.
Criteria are outlined in the tabs below.
Math
District 34's math program is structured to cater to the highest performing students, automatically accelerating them by two years in math by high school without the need to apply for acceleration through the Illinois Acceleration Act. To qualify for acceleration beyond the D34 math program, students must demonstrate a history of consistent performance at a level equivalent to top achievers three grades above their own.
Process to apply for acceleration beyond the District Math Program:
Step 1: Apply Online
- Submit an Acceleration request application
Step 2: Assessment Data Reviewed
- The acceleration team will gather the following data. If a student is missing any of the necessary data, tests will be administered accordingly.
Assessment Data:
| Grades | Test Name | Score Needed |
|---|---|---|
| K - 1 |
AimsWeb PlusThe most recent two results are both reviewed. |
Math Benchmark: Composite score of at least the 95th percentile for the grade level three years above their own. Literacy Benchmark: Composite score of at least the 95th percentile for their grade level. Outlier Verification: The student must perform in a subgroup with no same-age like minded peers. |
| 1 - 6 |
NWEAThe most recent three (or more) results are all reviewed. |
Math MAP: 95th percentile or above for the grade level three years above the student's own. Reading MAP: Composite score of at least the 95th percentile for their grade level. Outlier Verification: The student must perform in a subgroup with no same-age like minded peers. |
| K - 6 |
CogAT |
Quantitative score must be in at least the 95th percentile or SAS score must be in at least the 95th percentile. |
| K - 6 |
Math Content TestStandards of the grade level to be skipped. |
95% correct with no major skill deficiencies |
For students that do not have enough historical data to consider, additional diagnostic and/or content area assessments may be added to this process to ensure consistency in achievement.
If the student has qualifying scores according to the criteria above, the application process will continue to Step 3. If the student does not qualify, parents will be notified and the process will conclude at this point.
Step 3. Parent and Teacher Surveys Administered
- Feedback from parents and the student's current or most recent teacher will be collected through surveys given by the acceleration team. Feedback from tutors and outside evaluations will not be considered.
Step 4. Matrix Data Review Team Meeting
- The team will consist of District 34 stakeholder administrators and teachers.
- All data including parent and teacher surveys will be reviewed using a matrix that was modeled after the IOWA Acceleration Scale.
Step 5. Result shared with parent via letter sent through email.
ELA
The District 34 Gifted ELA Program identifies and automatically places qualifying students in a course with like-minded peers and with a gifted enrichment teacher starting in 3rd grade. Once a student has been identified for the District 34 Gifted ELA Program, the gifted teacher will tailor instruction to the ability and achievement level of each student, regardless of grade level. Students must be outliers among their same-age peers to qualify for acceleration beyond the District 34 Gifted ELA Program.
Process to apply for acceleration beyond the D34 Gifted ELA Program:
Step 1: Apply Online
- Submit an Acceleration Request Application
Step 2: Assessment Data Reviewed
- The acceleration team will gather the following data. If a student is missing any of the necessary data, tests will be administered accordingly.
Assessment Data:
| Grades | Test Name | Score Needed |
|---|---|---|
| K - 5 |
AimsWeb PlusThe most recent two results are both reviewed. |
Literacy Benchmark: Composite score of at least the 95th percentile for the grade level one year above their own. Outlier Verification: The student must perform in a subgroup with no same-age like minded peers. |
| 1 - 8 |
NWEAThe most recent three (or more) results are all reviewed. |
Reading MAP: 95th percentile or above for the grade level one year above the student's own. The NWEA Learning Continuum may also be examined to ensure there are no unmastered standards from the grade level to be skipped. Outlier Verification: The student must perform in a subgroup with no same-age like minded peers. |
| K - 6 |
CogAT |
SAS score must be in at least the 95th percentile. |
| 3 - 8 |
Must be identified as Gifted in D34 |
If the student will be entering 4th grade or above, they must also qualify for the ELA Gifted Program for the grade that they would enter. |
For students that do not have enough historical data to consider, additional diagnostic and/or content area assessments may be added to this process to ensure consistency in achievement.
If the student has qualifying scores according to the criteria above, the application process will continue to Step 3. If the student does not qualify, parents will be notified and the process will conclude at this point.
Step 3. Parent and Teacher Surveys Administered
- Feedback from parents and the student's current or most recent teacher will be collected through surveys given by the acceleration team. Feedback from tutors and outside evaluations will not be considered.
Step 4. Matrix Data Review Team Meeting
- The team will consist of District 34 stakeholder administrators and teachers.
- All data including parent and teacher surveys will be reviewed using a matrix that was modeled after the IOWA Acceleration Scale.
Step 5. Result shared with parent via letter sent through email.
Whole-Grade
To be considered for whole-grade acceleration, a student must qualify for both math and ELA acceleration as outline in the tabs above. To start the process to apply for whole-grade acceleration, submit an Acceleration Request.
Early Entrance
Students may apply for early entrance to Kindergarten or First Grade.
Kindergarten
Steps for Consideration for Early Entrance to Kindergarten:
1. Submit Early Entrance to Kindergarten Application. The application is also available in Spanish and Korean.
2. Child’s current teacher (if applicable) should complete the Teacher Feedback Form. The teacher feedback form is also available in Spanish and Korean. The parent submitting the form should pass this form along to the child's teacher.
3. Gifted Coordinator will conduct initial data review and will contact parents to schedule testing for May.
4. The child will complete the following assessments with an Early Entrance Team at the District Office for a two-hour period in May. Assessments include:
- AIMSWeb Reading and Math Benchmark Assessments
- Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT)
- Dial-4 Kindergarten Readiness Screener
5. Data review of the child's scores on the Kindergarten Early Entrance Matrix.
|
Measure |
Point Determination |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
2 points |
1 point |
O points |
|
|
AimsWeb Literacy |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
| Letter Naming Fluency | |||
| Letter Word Sound Fluency | |||
| Auditory Vocabulary | |||
|
AimsWeb Math |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
| Number Naming Fluency | |||
| Quantity Total Fluency | |||
| Concepts and Applications | |||
|
CogAT |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
| Student Score | |||
|
Dial-4 Kindergarten Readiness Screener |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
| Kindergarten Readiness | |||
| Behavioral Observations | |||
|
Total Points: |
|||
|
Matrix Points Earned |
Screening Results |
|---|---|
|
12+ |
Student is a strong candidate; early entrance will be offered |
|
10-11 |
Student is a good candidate; early entrance will be offered |
|
<9 |
Early Entrance will not be offered |
6. Results shared with parents via student performance report and letter through email.
7. If granted, the Gifted Coordinator will notify the school about the student's acceleration where the school will reach out to the parent to complete registration.
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.
Steps for Consideration for Early Entrance to First Grade:
1. If criteria above is met, submit Early Entrance to First Grade Application. The application is also available in Spanish and Korean.
2. Child’s current teacher (if applicable) should complete the Teacher Feedback Form. The teacher feedback form is also available in Spanish and Korean. The parent submitting the form should pass this form along to the child's teacher.
3. Gifted Coordinator will conduct initial data review and will contact parents to schedule testing for May.
4. The child will complete the following assessments with an Early Entrance Team at the District Office for a two-hour period in May. Assessments include:
- AIMSWeb Reading and Math Benchmark Assessments
- Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT)
- Oral Reading Fluency Measures
- Written Words Prompt
5. Data Review of the child's scores on the First Grade Early Entrance Matrix.
|
Measure |
Point Determination |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
2 points |
1 point |
O points |
|
|
AimsWeb Literacy Composite |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
|
AimsWeb Math Composite |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
|
CogAT |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
|
Oral Reading Fluency Fall First Grade Passages |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
|
Written Words Prompt |
75% and above |
74-30% |
<29% |
|
Matrix Points Earned |
Screening Results |
|---|---|
|
6+ |
Student is a strong candidate; early entrance will be offered |
|
5 |
Student is a good candidate; early entrance will be offered |
|
<5 |
Early Entrance will not be offered |
6. Results shared with parents via student performance report and letter through email.
7. If granted, the Gifted Coordinator will notify the school about the student's acceleration where the school will reach out to the parent to complete registration.