ABSTRACT
Academic acceleration is a simple, effective intervention that allows high-ability students to progress through an educational program at a rate faster or at an age younger than typical (Pressey, 1949). The term “acceleration” is used interchangeably to refer to acceleration as a service delivery model (in which students receive services at a younger than expected age) and as a curriculum model (in which students receive curricular material at a faster pace) (Schiever & Maker, 2003). The goal of acceleration-and a core feature of gifted education-is to provide an appropriate and equitable education to high-ability students by matching the level, complexity, and pace of the curriculum with a student’s level of cognitive and academic development.
