ACCEL Handbook - Volusia County Schools

1 2016-2017 Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning ( ACCEL ) Options 2 Volusia County school Board Members Mrs. Ida D. Wright, Chairman Mrs. Melody Johnson, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Linda Costello Mrs. Linda Cuthbert Dr. John Hill Mr. James T. Russell Superintendent of Schools Ms. Teresa Marcks Chief Academic Officer 3 ELEMENTARY ACCEL OPTIONS The Volusia County school District provides academically challenging curricula and accelerated instruction to eligible elementary school students. Eligibility requirements and procedures have been established by the district.

2 According to , , ACCEL options include, but are not limited to, whole grade and mid-year promotion, subject matter acceleration, virtual instruction and the Credit Acceleration Program (CAP). Refer to the Student Progression Plan for detailed information concerning ACCEL . If a student is being considered for whole grade acceleration, the principal should follow the process outlined for district promotion/retention requests. Contact the Student Services Department at ext. 20759 for additional information. ACCEL Eligibility Any student currently enrolled in a Volusia County school may apply for acceleration opportunities.

3 To initiate the acceleration process, the student s parent must submit a written request to the principal/designee of the student s school of enrollment. Eligibility for one or more acceleration opportunities is determined by, but not limited to, the following: (1) data indicating that the student has the ability to perform above grade level; (2) student attendance and conduct record; (3) recommendation from one or more of the student s teachers in core-curricula courses as defined in (14)(a)-(e), ; (4) score of Level 3 or above on statewide, standardized assessments; (5) evidence that the academic requirement(s) for selected program(s) have been met.

4 For gifted students with active EP, recommendation for whole grade acceleration for gifted learners is determined by the need of the student for acceleration as indicated by the team members of the Education Plan (EP) committee which is comprised of, but not limited to, parents, school counselor, the principal or designee, teachers from each of the affected grade levels, placement specialist, and the gifted program specialist. OVERVIEW OF OPTIONS Credit Acceleration Program (CAP) The CAP is created for the purpose of allowing students to earn high school credit in courses that require statewide, standardized end-of- course (EOC) assessments and/or advanced placement courses.

5 Credit will be awarded by the district for any student who attains a Level 3 or above as defined in (3) (c) 5, Students are not required to be enrolled in the course or to have completed the course . A student who is not enrolled in the course or who has not completed the course will take the statewide, standardized EOC assessment or Advanced Placement Exam during the regular administration of the assessment. Students requesting to participate in the end-of- course exam must submit a completed Credit by Exam Request Form with the testing coordinator and counselor at the current school of enrollment nine weeks prior to the state-mandated testing window.

6 Students requesting to participate in an 4 Advanced Placement Exam for a course in which they are not enrolled in will be required to pay the associated exam fee and will need to register with the school -based Advanced Placement Testing Coordinator, as outlined in the Student Progression Plan. Online Courses When a school has identified a student as eligible for acceleration, choosing a virtual option is based on the following, , : (a) The student spent the prior school year in attendance at a public school in this state and was enrolled and reported by the school district for funding during the preceding October and February for purposes of the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) surveys.

7 (b) The student is a dependent child of a member of the United States Armed Forces who was transferred within the last 12 months to Florida from another state or from a foreign country pursuant to a permanent change of station order. (c) The student was enrolled during the prior school year in a school district virtual instruction program, a K-8 Virtual school Program or a full-time Florida Virtual school program. (d) The student has a sibling who is currently enrolled in a school district virtual instruction program and the sibling was enrolled in that program at the end of the prior school year.

8 (e) The student is eligible to enter kindergarten or first grade. Volusia Online Learning (VOL) Students who qualify for an ACCEL option and meet statutory eligibility may opt to take one or more courses virtually through Volusia Online Learning. Online courses meet the needs of students who learn more productively in their own time and in their own space. Enrollment in a virtual course , for the purpose of acceleration only, must be completed by the zoned school counselor and added to the student s schedule either during or beyond the school day. Students are not required to take courses beyond the school day, but may, if beneficial to the student s needs.

9 Counselors should contact the Online Learning offices for enrollment assistance by calling 386-506-0014 or by contacting Wendy Ferranti at extension 38376 or by email at Florida Virtual school FLVS is authorized to provide instruction for eligible students in kindergarten through grade 5 for the purpose of acceleration. Elementary students who qualify for the ACCEL option may choose FLVS for middle school courses only. The zoned school ACCEL team must make the determination of student eligibility. Approval of an FLVS course is up to the discretion of the school and the school will add each course to the student s schedule either during or beyond the school day.

10 Students are not required to take courses beyond the school day, but may, if beneficial to the student s needs. More information regarding course offerings is available at 5 ACCEL Procedures Subject Area Acceleration Upon receipt of the written parent request for acceleration, the procedural requirements for subject area acceleration are as follows: (1) A school -based data review is conducted. (2) school principal/designee determines student eligibility in accordance with the subject area acceleration guidelines outlined in this Handbook . (3) school designee, in conjunction with the parent and student, develops the Elementary Acceleration Plan Performance Contract (page 6) that includes an acceleration plan and timeline, minimum student attendance requirements, minimum student conduct requirements, and possible participation in extracurricular activities, field trips, interscholastic competitions, and other activities related to the ACCEL option selected.