What is the definition of acceleration according to educational standards?

In the context of educational standards, acceleration refers to any strategy that enables a student to engage with advanced content or obtain credit for work that goes beyond the standard curriculum for their grade level. This concept acknowledges that gifted learners may require greater challenges and exposure to more complex ideas than their peers. Acceleration can manifest in various forms, such as grade skipping, subject acceleration (where a student advances in specific subjects), or advanced placement courses.

By defining acceleration in this way, the focus is placed on providing opportunities for gifted students to pursue their interests and capabilities at a level that is appropriate for their advanced skills. This definition encapsulates a broad range of strategies that aim to meet the unique needs of gifted students, ensuring they are adequately challenged and engaged in their learning.

The other options reflect specific aspects or methods related to acceleration but do not fully capture the comprehensive nature of the term as defined by educational standards. For instance, while self-pacing or supplementary strategies are valuable, they do not necessarily represent the core idea of allowing gifted students to progress through advanced material effectively.