The debate on acceleration continues. Is it helpful or detrimental for a student to skip grades?

 

Dr. Kevin Leman, a Tucson psychologist, feels that “there’s not a lot of wisdom in pushing kids ahead, even kids who are gifted.” He thinks that enrichment, both at home and at school, is a better alternative. Dr. Leman states that a child may not be as mature socially as he is intellectually, especially if the child is a boy and, therefore, acceleration may stack the deck against the young person.

 

The Ohio Department of Education believes that acceleration allows a student to excel. School districts in Ohio were required by law to adopt an acceleration policy this school year for advanced learners. Districts could either use a model policy developed by the state or adopt a similar one. According to Tom Southern, a Miami University educational psychology professor who has studied acceleration for 20 years, kids who are accelerated tend to operate at the head of the new placement. In addition, he states, there is no documentation that shows harm to the student socially or emotionally. In addition to benefits to the child, acceleration is often an economical way for school districts to meet the needs of students.