Accelerated Placement Program

Accelerated Placement Program

Required Public Posting 105 ILCS 5/14A

The District provides an Accelerated Placement Program (APP). The APP advances the District’s goal of providing educational programs with opportunities for each student to develop to his or her maximum potential. The APP offers an educational setting with curriculum options usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the student participating in the APP. APP options include, but may not be limited to: (a) accelerating a student in a single subject; (b) other grade-level acceleration; and (c) early entrance to kindergarten or first grade.

Current students eligible for the APP will be screened during the school year by a team of stakeholders and assessed by a school psychologist. Student referrals for evaluation can be made by a staff member or guardian, teacher, and should be submitted to the home school building principal. Written parent permission is required. The evaluation process includes multiple measures and is guided by the use of the research-based Iowa Acceleration Scale. These considerations need to be made prior to April 1.

Families requesting a screening for early entrance into kindergarten must contact the home school building principal no later than March 15 of the prior school year in which early entrance is being requested. Students who currently attend Jefferson will be able to use Jefferson school data for consideration. All other families must provide a report of performance from the pre-school they are attending. This report must be provided no later than April 1. Screening/assessment for early entrance into kindergarten or first grade occurs no later than May 1. Students must meet the criteria set for by the district in order to be allowed entry into Kindergarten if they are not 5 years of age prior to September 1. Families should also be aware that the APP for early admission is reserved for students who are advanced compared to their same-aged peers.