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Improving the Equity and Transparency of Acceleration Policies for Elementary Students in Florida — Keri M. Guilbault & Melanie S. Meyer

Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 8:00 – 9:00 am, Lawrence D. McHugh Hall, Room MCHU 202

In 2012, Florida adopted the Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) statute, establishing minimum requirements for local education agencies to provide access to accelerated learning options for eligible K-12 public school students. This study examined Florida public school district acceleration policies one decade after the enactment of the statute. We analyzed Student Progression Plans, school board policies, and district websites to explore the status of acceleration policy in the state, compare the accessibility of acceleration information across districts, and identify policy elements that support equity as opposed to those that create potential barriers for certain students. The findings of this study indicated several areas of strength and some opportunities for improvement in accessibility, service options, protocols, and decision-making criteria. In this session, we will present key findings, share guiding questions and open-access materials to aid school districts in the development or revision of acceleration policies, and discuss suggestions for future research.