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Acceleration Essentials for G/T Leaders

Build Confidence Around Acceleration Decisions

Acceleration is one of the most effective and underused strategies for meeting the needs of advanced learners, but many districts face questions about advocacy, options, policy, and implementation.

Acceleration Essentials for G/T Leaders is a four-part webinar series designed to help G/T coordinators, directors, and district leaders understand the research, navigate local systems, explore acceleration models, and develop clearer policies and procedures.

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What You'll Experience

Four 60-Minute On-Demand Sessions + Research-Based Guidance + District Policy Tools
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Why Participate?

Participants will gain:

  • A deeper understanding of why acceleration matters and how to build champions among parents, principals, and administrators
  • Strategies for navigating district systems and leveraging the role of an acceleration coach
  • An overview of acceleration options, including in-class, subject-based, and whole-grade advancement, and how to identify the right fit for students
  • Guidance on developing district-level policy and procedures that ensure fairness, clarity, and student success

Program Overview

Session 1

Why Acceleration Matters: Building Acceleration Champions

Learn why acceleration is one of the most effective and research-based strategies for meeting the needs of advanced learners. This session will explore how to advocate for acceleration, dispel common myths, and build a team of champions to support implementation.

Presenter: Keri Guilbault, Ed.D.

Keri M. Guilbault, Ed.D., is an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Dr. Guilbault’s research focuses on academic acceleration, leadership of gifted and advanced academic programs, and the affective development and needs of the highly to profoundly gifted. Dr. Guilbault is an associate editor of the Journal of Advanced Academics and the Journal of Gifted Education and Creativity and serves on several editorial boards. Dr. Guilbault has extensive leadership experience in the field of gifted education at state, national, and international levels and has been recognized for her leadership and service to the field with the 2023 Maryland Department of Education Gifted and Talented Advisory Council State Leadership Award, the 2020 American Mensa National Service Award, and the 2019 National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Early Leader Award

Session 2

Lessons Learned: Working Within Your System & The Role of an Acceleration Coach

Gain practical insights on navigating district structures and processes to make acceleration possible from a district leader who has over 20 years of lessons to share. Learn how the role of an acceleration coach can support schools and families through policy interpretation, planning, and implementation for successful outcomes.

Presenter: Amy Peterson

Amy J. Peterson is the current Director of Talented and Gifted Education for Athens City Schools in Ohio, where she draws on over 30 years of experience in the field. With 27 years specifically dedicated to gifted education, Amy is a recognized expert in her field.

Her comprehensive background includes a master’s degree in K-12 gifted education and doctoral work in curriculum and instruction. A key focus of her work has been creating opportunities for academic acceleration, a strategy she believes is essential for meeting the needs of advanced learners. This unique combination of administrative experience and practical knowledge allows her to lead with a deep understanding of what is both powerful and effective for gifted students.

Session 3

Acceleration Options: Subject Acceleration and Whole-Grade Acceleration

This session will provide an overview of both subject-level and whole-grade acceleration, exploring when each option should be considered and how they can positively impact student growth and engagement. Grounded in decades of research, academic acceleration is a proven strategy for meeting the needs of advanced learners, and this session will highlight the evidence supporting its effectiveness. Learn the key indicators that suggest acceleration may be appropriate, the benefits and challenges of each approach, and practical steps for initiating conversations with families, teachers, and administrators. Leave this session knowing how to better identify opportunities to ensure students are challenged at the right level and time.

Presenter: Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, Ph.D.

Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, Ph.D. is Administrator, Acceleration Institute and Research at the University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center. She is co-developer of the online Integrated Acceleration System, which guides educators and families through the decision-making process of grade-skipping, early entrance to kindergarten or college, and subject acceleration. She also co-authored Developing Math Talent (2nd ed.), Developing Academic Acceleration Policies, and the Iowa Acceleration Scale. 

Session 4

Developing District Policy & Procedures for Acceleration Wednesday

Strong policy ensures consistent, equitable acceleration decisions across your district. This session will guide you in creating or refining district-level acceleration policies, including criteria, processes, and communication strategies to ensure alignment and fairness.

Presenter: Ann Shoplik, Ph.D.

During her 36 years in public education, Marcy coordinated G/T and BL/ESL Programs, served on the TAGT Board, and was Chair of the TEA G/T Advisory Council. Marcy currently serves as Facilitator for the TAGT ELP, Chair of the NABE GT/Bilingual SIG, and Advisory Board member for NCRGE Project EAGLE. Marcy created the Academic Language Cards, Q3 Cards, and TALK Cards. She is a co-author of Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Gifted Education.

Program Details

Pricing: 

  • Members: $199
  • Nonmembers: $299
Register now

The registration form will require you to log in with your existing TAGT member profile or create a new profile.

You can pay via credit card or request an invoice to pay via purchase order or check. You will receive a confirmation email following your registration with program access information.

 

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