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Research indicates the benefits of accelerating students, yet many districts still face the challenge of creating and implementing acceleration policies. Further, the revision of the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students calls for schools to provide opportunities for students to accelerate in their areas of strength (Section 4.5), employ flexible pacing (Section 4.6), and implement schedule modifications to meet individual student needs (Section 4.7).

Whether you need help with whole-grade or subject-specific acceleration, early entrance to kindergarten, or early entrance to college, this unique professional learning opportunity will answer your questions about acceleration, share the research behind this practice, and give you evidence-based strategies for implementation.

Featuring top experts in acceleration practices, Susan Assouline and Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik of University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Center, along with Texas-based practitioners who have made acceleration work in their districts, participants will walk away with a stronger knowledge base and a collection of resources for furthering this practice in their districts.

Agenda:
12:45 p.m.-12:50 p.m.: Welcome/Intro
12:50 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Keynote: Acceleration: Making Informed Decisions: Susan Assouline & Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa
1:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: Statutes and State Policies Around Acceleration in Texas: Monica Simonds, Richardson ISD
1:45 p.m.-1:50 p.m.: Break
1:50 p.m.-2:20 p.m.: Mini-Breakouts/Roundtables (3-4):
--Feeling Overwhelmed? Acceleration for Beginners: Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, Belin-Blank Center
--Making Decisions About Whole-Grade Acceleration: Susan Assouline, Belin-Blank Center
--How to Create Early Entrance to College Programs on Limited Resources: Ashlee Duncan, Waco ISD
--Acceleration in Mathematics: Susan Johnsen, Baylor University
2:20 p.m.-2:25 p.m.: Break
2:25 p.m.-2:55 p.m.: Mini-Breakouts/Roundtables (3-4): Topics TBD
--How to Be an Advocate for Acceleration: Finding Your Leverage Points: Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, Belin-Blank Center
--Acceleration and Twice-Exceptional Students: Susan Assouline, Belin-Blank Center
--Impact of Accelerated Extracurricular Programs: Tamra Stambaugh, Vanderbilt PTY
--Developing Acceleration Policies in Your District: Marcy Voss, Educational Consultant
--Within-Class and Content-Based Acceleration How Tos: Sara Mooney, Richardson ISD

2:55 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Break
3:00 p.m.-3:25 p.m.: Administrator/Practitioner Panel: District Challenges and Solutions for Effective Acceleration: Holly Mohler, Grand Prairie ISD; Monica Simonds, Richardson ISD; Linda Autrey, Nacogdoches ISD; Nicole Williams, Tyler ISD (Moderator)
3:25 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Closing/Reflection