Acceleration—The Gift of Time

Why Acceleration?

Imagine someone gave you the gift of four years off of work. What would you do? Time can be an unimaginable gift we can give our children. How? In the early grades, acceleration can be achieved with relatively little effort.

1. It is more exciting and satisfying for students who are underserved in school

I have seen students joyfully learn two years worth of content and vocabulary with ease in a single year without spending more time in the classroom, simply because individualized education is more efficient. Many children are ready for more rigorous work than is offered in regular schools, and are bored at the regular speed. By graduating years ahead of their peers without working harder, they can use this time to follow their passions. 

2. It is recommended by gifted research

Research shows that acceleration is the best way to encourage longterm success in gifted, creative learners. I believe acceleration is beneficial not only for "gifted" students but for most curious, self-motivated students. The National Association For Gifted Children has as their position statement:

"Educational acceleration is one of the cornerstones of exemplary gifted education practices, with more research supporting this intervention than any other in the literature on gifted individuals. The practice of educational acceleration has long been used to match high level student general ability and specific talent with optimal learning opportunities."

For further reading on the importance of acceleration, I highly recommend the University of Iowa publication of its research findings. 

3. It used to be done

Historically, it was common in 19th century America to enter university at age 14. Children were tested and deemed ready at an individual level. Having a certain amount of years and hours spent in elementary and high school is a fairly recent development, which is wasting our children's time.