• Whole Grade Acceleration

    for acceleration in the 2025-2026 school year

    Eligibility Meetings must occur before April 18, 2025

     

    Students in kindergarten through 3rd grade may apply for Whole Grade Acceleration (WGA).

    Process

    Application Window (completed by school): March 3 - April 18, 2025 for WGA in the next school year

    Consideration for Whole Grade Acceleration (WGA) begins with a school team meeting that should include parent(s), teacher(s), other appropriate school staff, and the principal. The school team meets initially and completes the Eligibility Checklist (completed by staff). If the decision is to move forward, the following steps will be completed by the school:

    1. Contact the TAG department to initiate testing and data collection.
    2. A TAG Proctor will schedule and administer tests.
    3. The teacher will complete a questionnaire.
    4. The TAG department will review documentation, evaluate test results, and document the placement decision.
    5. The TAG Department notifies school(s) and family of the final decision.
    6. Records are updated to reflect the change if applicable by June 10.

    Assessment

    For Whole Grade Acceleration, the TAG department uses the Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS), 3rd edition.  This includes the use of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) for Intellectual testing, and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for Reading and Math testing.

    Decision Rules

    Multiple measures are used to determine student readiness for whole grade acceleration. The IAS scale assigns points to a multitude of data points and information, including:

    • School Team: Conversation as a team about the student, and logistics such as where the child will be moved to, any issues this may create, such as transportation, etc.
    • Assessment Data: IAS scale uses assessment data as an indicator of Academic Ability, Aptitude, and Achievement based on composite scores from the CogAT and ITBS assessments
    • Teacher Questionnaire: The current classroom teacher answers questions pertaining to the whole child, including developmental and social/emotional readiness

     

    WGA Soomaali

    WGA Tiếng Việt

    WGA Española

    WGA 中國人

    WGA Русский

     

     Contact the classroom teacher to begin the Whole Grade Acceleration Process