Curriculum & Testing

Acceleration Procedures for Policy 8201P/8201

What is Whole-grade Acceleration and How Do Students Qualify? 
As outlined in policy, the district makes available whole-grade acceleration for qualifying students. Whole Grade Acceleration is an intervention that moves academically advanced students ahead one grade level. Participation in acceleration is based on individually identified needs and considered on a case-by-case basis. 

The District uses the Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS) to qualify students. The IAS is a research-based decision making tool that considers the student’s social, emotional, physical, academic, and intellectual development. The IAS requires scores for the following types of assessments:

Assessment of Ability: Measures of general ability (i.e., intelligence, IQ) are reliable and valid indicators of a student’s potential to be successful in a school setting. The WISC-V must be administered by the school psychologist. A full-scale score of 126 or above best predicts successful acceleration; a minimum full scale score of 115 is required for consideration of whole grade acceleration.

Assessment of Aptitude: Aptitude tests indicate a student’s potential to learn new material. Achievement tests that are administered as above-level tests are indicators of specific aptitude. The Woodcock Johnson IV is used to predict if a student will continue to have excellent achievement at the grade-level being considered for acceleration. Scoring in the 75th percentile or above, using the grade level being considered for advancement, best predicts successful acceleration.

Assessment of Achievement: The Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) is used in grades 3-8 as a measure of student’s learning in a specific content area. A score at the 95th percentile or above best predicts successful acceleration. If this data is not available, the acceleration committee should double the weight of the aptitude test on the IAS.

Guidelines for Qualification: Students must earn a total score of at least 46 points on the IAS to be recommended for whole-grade acceleration. For optimal consideration, applications for acceleration should be submitted on or before March 1 preceding the year of advancement. If any of the critical items apply, whole-grade acceleration is not recommended: 

• Student’s ability (measured by IQ) is less than one standard deviation above the mean (115)
• Student would be accelerated into the same grade as an older sibling
• Student presently has a sibling in the same grade as s/he
• Student indicates s/he does not want to be accelerated
• Student would be skipping a transition year (5th or 8th grade)

What is the Process for Referring a Student for Whole Grade Acceleration? 

Step 1: A parent/guardian, teacher, or administrator may initiate the process for whole-grade acceleration by submitting a request to the building principal. The application form can be obtained on the District’s webpage at: Whole Grade Acceleration Form. 
The building principal will submit the form to the Curriculum Coordinator. 

Step 2: The Curriculum Coordinator will review the request and determine what additional testing is needed (i.e., WISC-V, WJIV). The Curriculum Coordinator will contact a school psychologist to provide the additional required testing.  

Step 3: The school principal will convene a team for the purpose of assessing the student’s suitability for acceleration by completing sections I-X of the IAS. Participants may include: building principal, current teacher, potential receiving teacher, school counselor, and GATE facilitator, if applicable. The team will make a recommendation based on the IAS grand total score. Parents will be notified of the team’s recommendation.

Step 4: If the student qualifies for Whole Grade Acceleration, the completed IAS form will be submitted to the Curriculum Coordinator for review; final approval is granted/denied by the Elementary or Secondary Director. A Change of Grade Level form is placed in the student’s cumulative file and coded in Infinite Campus. 

For further information, contact:
Cassie Atwood 
Curriculum Coordinator
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 
(208) 235-3200