Video Resources
Thoughts on Acceleration
Overview of grade skipping and acceleration with Laurel Griffiths, Director of Family Services at the Davidson Institute. Laurel talks about the Davison Institute and best learning environments for gifted students including acceleration. She addresses why families might use grade skipping or acceleration. Laurel also gives suggestions to the student. She talks about how important it is for the student to be part of the entire process and advocate for themselves. Laurel also provides a list of national resources for students who skip a grade or who are considering acceleration.
My Grade Skip: Teacher Support
Join Ms. Kim and Ms. Allen as they talk about how they supported my grade skip from first to second grade. They are asked questions such as have they had a student skip a grade before, did they have any teachers/parents who were opposed to the grade skip, and how do they think students can help with a grade skip. Learn about how Ms. Kim created a beautiful welcome banner to welcome me to the new class as well as having the students get excited by preparing my desk. Learn how Ms. Allen the next year treated me as just another third grader in her combo class the following year. Get ideas for working with teachers for your own grade skip.
Homeschool Grade Skip Decision
Brielle and Alex who are both in 8th grade chat about an upcoming grade skip (i.e., moving from 8th grade to 10th grade). For a homeschool student, this means skipping a full year of curriculum. Alex is also already taking music courses at the University of Reno, Nevada which is quite an impressive form of acceleration! Check out the blog on our website to hear him talk about the age this started and how he feels about attending university classes as a younger student. This video is another example of how creative parents find ways to keep the joy of learning going for their students one year and decision at a time. To see more of how talented Alex is, see his website: YoungComposerAlex.com
Early Online College
Let Anders lead you through his educational journey and experience in early online college! He is attending Arizona State University online at 13 years old. We cover topics such as being younger in your grade, acceleration options, penmanship issues, and more. Anders would like you to know he thinks his voice sounds a little goofy because he forgot to take his retainer out. 🙂 However, we thought you did a wonderful job, Anders. He is loving his experience in early online college, though he wishes he had a group of students to share it with. We hope you enjoy the video!
Researcher Interview
Learn about grade acceleration or whole grade skips during an interview with Dr. Ann Shoplik from the Acceleration Institute at the Belin-Blank Center. Topics of the interview include why gifted students may consider a grade skip and who may not be a good candidate. Research on grade acceleration or skipping is discussed as well as the importance of student involvement and self-advocacy. Dr. Shoplik gives a thoughtful overview of some of the most important considerations based on research and experience with grade acceleration. Watch the video and explore further at https://www.accelerationinstitute.org.
Grade Skips: Self Advocacy
Learn about self-advocacy during grade skips with Brielle from Skip Space/Grade Skipping Resources for Students and Laurel Griffiths, Director of Family Services at the Davidson Institute. Laurel defines self-advocacy and explains why it is important for gifted students. She explains that the only way to get what you need is to ask for it. It is also a way of helping others because it shows them that there are more paths forward, which may reveal additional options for other students as well.
Teacher Finds out Mary is Gifted
People sometimes ask me why we need acceleration. This video, sent to me by Wendy Behrens from the Minnesota Department of Education, is a perfect example. In this short clip, a teacher discovers why a seemingly uninterested student is so bored.
Meet Some of the Professionals Contributing to the Website!
Thanks for being in my videos!
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. She also co-authored Developing Math Talent (2nd ed.), Developing Academic Acceleration Policies, and the Iowa Acceleration Scale, and co-edited A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses Holding Back America’s Brightest Students.
Laurel Griffiths
Laurel Griffiths joined the Davidson Institute in 2015 and currently serves as the Director of Family Services. The Davidson Institute is dedicated to supporting the intellectual and social development of profoundly gifted students age 18 and under through a variety of programs. In her previous jobs, Laurel found the support she could offer students limited. Thus, she appreciates the whole child, whole family approach that the Davidson team takes in their work.
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