Acceleration

Individual Subject & Whole Grade Acceleration

Students at Shaker Heights Schools may be assigned to a subject/course in a higher grade level or a higher grade level for the purpose of providing accelerated learning opportunities. The path to acceleration is a multi-step process that includes input from parents/guardians and educators.  

The process for individual subject and whole-grade acceleration is described below.

1. Parent/guardian submits Academic Acceleration Referral form in PowerSchool or to the principal. Because course changes will only be made at the start of the semester, referrals received after seasonal deadlines (May 1; November 6) may result in delayed course changes.
2. The Gifted Intervention Specialist (GIS) or a principal-designee contacts parent/guardian to confirm receipt of referral and obtain permission for additional assessment, if necessary.
3. The GIS coordinates the collection of necessary information from the student’s instructional team and academic record to complete the District’s acceleration rubric (for individual subject acceleration) or the Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS), the only state-approved tool for whole-grade acceleration (for whole-grade acceleration).
   • Outcome A: Student does not meet rubric or IAS criteria. The decision is communicated to the parent/guardian; a meeting may be scheduled to discuss the student's needs. Parents/guardians have an opportunity to appeal the decision; appeals must be made in writing to the principal within 30 days of notification of the decision.
   • Outcome B: Student meets rubric or IAS criteria. The GIS schedules an Acceleration Determination meeting with the parent/guardian and invites the student’s instructional team (i.e., current teacher, principal, teacher at the grade level to which the student may be accelerated). The team meets and discusses comprehensive data and rubric results to determine if acceleration is needed to meet the student’s needs.
     • Outcome C: Team determines that current classroom instruction can meet the student’s needs. Enrichment opportunities are planned, as needed. Parents/guardians have an opportunity to appeal the decision; appeals must be made in writing to the principal within 30 days of notification of the decision.
     • Outcome D: Team determines that an acceleration is needed to meet the student’s needs. A Written Acceleration Plan (WAP) will be created and shared with the parent/guardian.

Early High School Graduation

High School students have the opportunity to complete high school in fewer than four years.

The path to early graduation is a multi-step process that includes input from parents/guardians and educators.

Parents/guardians who wish to pursue this option should contact their building principal or submit the Academic Acceleration Referral form within PowerSchool. Following the completion of the referral form, the building principal or designee will explain the acceleration referral process. 

Students planning to graduate after six semesters of high school must:

• Have a plan confirmed two semesters prior to the completion date.
• Schedule a conference with both their parent/guardian and school counselor.
• Have written parent approval submitted to the school counselor.

Students planning to graduate after seven semesters of high school must:

• Have written parent approval by the spring of Grade 11.
• Have a plan started and tentatively approved by the second Monday in May of the 11th grade year.