Acceleration Decision Making is a Team Activity

Paper

Counselors play a unique role in helping to make acceleration decisions and in supporting students during and after acceleration occurs. Unfortunately, most counselors do not receive training specific to acceleration in their graduate programs. The goal of this session is to provide counselors with information about the research supporting acceleration as well as how that information is applied in practice.
Research has shown that academically talented students benefit from acceleration, both in the short- and long-term. When properly implemented, acceleration usually results in positive growth for the academic and social/emotional well-being of the student (e.g., Assouline, Colangelo, & VanTassel-Baska, 2015; Behrens & Lupkowski-Shoplik, 2020).
Tools for making acceleration decisions include above-level testing (in which students take a test developed for older students to measure aptitude), as well as achievement and ability testing. Additionally, the Iowa Acceleration Scale and the Integrated Acceleration System help a child study team through the process of gathering objective information and making a decision.
The transition to acceleration benefits from the expertise of a counselor, who can monitor the student and help ensure parents and educators share relevant information in support of student success. Acceleration is well-supported by research and tools are available for making informed decisions. Drawing on the facts and practical experience with acceleration, the presenter will provide team based, data informed recommendations for making acceleration decisions.