Parents' Experiences with Their Children's Grade-Based Acceleration: Struggles, Successes, and Subsequent Needs.

Abstract

Grade-based acceleration is when high-ability children progress through school at a rate faster than typical by being placed with older classmates. This educational practice can help meet the learning needs of high-ability children. In this study, 56 parents of high-ability children who underwent grade-based acceleration in Australian schools shared their experiences through an online questionnaire. We posed the following research question: “What are the experiences of parents whose children accelerate into classes with older classmates?” Our findings revealed that parents perceived successful academic, social, and emotional outcomes of acceleration for their children. However, parents encountered some resistance towards acceleration among teachers, which may have interfered with the availability of accelerative options. For some parents, illinformed attitudes among other adults placed a strain on parents’ social relationships. Parents also described their accelerated children’s educational needs, which were not universally met within their respective schools. Practical implications for parents and teachers considering acceleration are discussed.