Whole Grade  Acceleration (2nd grade - 8th grade)

Overview

Skokie School District 68 complies with Illinois law which specifies that the District must provide an Accelerated Placement Program (APP). The Accelerated Placement Act expands services to all  students, not only those identified as gifted and talented, but includes those who demonstrate high ability and who may benefit from accelerated placement.   The APP provides an educational setting with curriculum options usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades.  One APP option includes whole grade acceleration. 
 
Whole Grade Requirements and Process:

If the child’s age is younger than the requested grade level age requirement, and the child has not completed the age-based grade, the following process is to be followed:

1. Pre-requisite Paperwork: The child must be registered with Skokie School District 68 and provide proof of residency at the time of application.   
2. Parent/Guardian must submit the Acceleration Request - Whole Grade form.  The application deadline is June 1 for that upcoming school year. No applications will be accepted after that date. 
3. Parent/Guardian must submit records as follows: 
   1. Achievement scores for the previous two school years (i.e. NWEA Math or Reading, Illinois Assessment of Readiness, etcetera)
   2. Report cards for the previous two school years
   3. Any other assessments or reports relevant to the child’s academic or intellectual standing
4. The building principal will schedule an appointment which shall include the child’s parents/guardians and the school psychologist.  The parent must ensure that the school has received the Acceleration Request - Whole Grade form and any accompanying data prior to the appointment. A review of these records will determine  what additional  assessments will be necessary. 
5. An appointment will be scheduled for administration of any necessary assessments.  The child must be made available for testing prior to the start of the school year so that appropriate placement can be made for the school year.  If the district is unable to test the child and determine placement prior to the week before the start of school, the child will not be grade accelerated for that school year. 
6. The principal will confer with the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and will then contact the child’s parents to convey the decision made.  This decision is final. 

If the child’s age is younger than the requested grade level age requirement, and the child has completed the age-based grade in another school system or country, the following process is to be followed:

1. Pre-requisite Paperwork: The child must be registered with Skokie School District 68 and provide proof of residency at the time of application.   
2. Parent/Guardian must submit the Acceleration Request - Whole Grade form.  
3. Parent/Guardian must submit the following records to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction:
   1. Report cards for the previous two school years
   2. Documentation from the school system regarding the curriculum taught in the child’s previous two years of school 
   3. Assessment results for the previous two school years
4. The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction will review the child’s records, which must indicate successful completion of the age-based grade in order for whole grade acceleration to occur.  The Assistant Superintendent will confer with the child’s building principal and will inform the parent/guardian of the decision. 

 
Acceleration Request - Whole Grade