ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the changes in schools, classrooms, and individuals that must occur for all students to benefit from accelerated learning. It defines accelerated learning and examines the historical and social context that has shaped the evolution of the use of this term. The book provides an in-depth exploration of accelerated learning as applied to students identified as gifted and low achieving. It also provides descriptions of the target students and programs that have been developed to accelerate their learning. The book describes a description of efforts to accelerate the learning of all students. It synthesizes work both authors have been engaged in through most of our professional careers. The book also synthesizes research, best practice, and current thought and policy on accelerated learning.
