From Urbana School District #116 Board Policy

6:135 Accelerated Placement Program 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 provides 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. Participation in the APP is open to all students who demonstrate high ability and who may benefit from accelerated placement. It is not limited to students who have been identified as gifted and talented. Eligibility to participate in the District’s APP shall not be conditioned upon the protected classifications identified in Board policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities, or any factor other than the student’s identification as an accelerated learner. The Superintendent or designee shall implement an APP that includes:

1.  Decision-making processes that are fair, equitable, and involve multiple individuals, e.g. District administrators, teachers, and school support personnel, and a student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)
2. Notification processes that notify a student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) of a decision affecting a student’s participation in the APP; and
3. Assessment processes that include multiple valid, reliable indicators. The Superintendent or designee shall annually notify the community, parent(s)/guardian(s), students, and school personnel about the APP, the process for referring a student for possible evaluation for accelerated placement, and the methods used to determine whether a student is eligible for accelerated placement. Notification may: (a) include varied communication methods, such as student handbooks and District or school websites; and (b) be provided in multiple languages, as appropriate. LEGAL REF.: 105 ILCS 5/14A. CROSS REF.: 6:10 (Educational Philosophy and Objectives), 6:130 (Program for the Gifted), 7:10 (Equal Educational Opportunities), 7:50 (School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools) Adopted: 06/19/2018 

Important Dates:

The deadline to refer students for acceleration that begins at the start of the 2024-25 school year is March 8, 2024. Acceleration assessment for these students will be completed prior to the end of the current school year. Referrals received after this date may be addressed after the start of the school year.