What is the difference between enrichment and acceleration

Motivation is key to enrichment. Motivation is needed on the part of the instructor to create lessons and materials for all the learners in his or her classroom.

It is also needed on the part of the student to work hard at materials that may be different than their peers. There seems to be a way to combine the two views through online lear ning , which has shown to be a successful delivery for advanced learners. Students can remain with chronological age peers but have content delivered to their academic age. Some online learning content deliverers such as All Belong have developed materials for students with academic talents that fit the needs of both the gifted student and align with best practices in academically talented instruction.

These types of online courses employ teachers who are trained in teaching academically talented students by providing instruction and content at their intellectual and emotional level. Because handling stress and working well with others is often difficult for advanced learners, teachers can weave training on these items into the course.

In most situations, students are placed in online courses for subjects and then in the general education class alongside their typically developing peers for the remainder of the school day. That seems to me to be a best fit for everyone… the student is happy because he or she is being challenged, their parents are happy because their student is being challenged, the classroom teacher is happy because he or she can now focus on the other needs within the classroom, and the principal is happy because the parents and the teacher are happy!

You can also schedule a free consultation with one of our experts to learn how we can support implementation of a successful gifted program at your school.

Sign up. How do enrichment and acceleration programs contribute to equitable outcomes? What is the difference between enrichment and acceleration programs? Are acceleration programs more harmful to students than enrichment activities? How can acceleration programs be implemented into a gifted program? Here are some examples: Early entrance — Students are allowed to enter primary school or higher education programs ahead of peers of the same age.

Curriculum compacting — The curriculum is condensed or moves at a faster pace so students can complete a course quicker than usual. Full-year acceleration — Students move ahead one or more grade levels in all subject areas. Should you provide enrichment or acceleration when teaching gifted students? Theres no simple answer. I think it depends on a number of things. Does he or she excel in a particular subject that you happen to be teaching? Does this child seem to have a natural ability to grasp mathematical concepts?

Challenging a student by moving them through advanced curriculum at a pace that serves their needs makes sense. If a child does not love mathbut rather has a fascination with literaturewhy would we pile on the math work? How can you argue that this was not beneficial to this childs education? I think we are truly doing a disservice if we fail to develop a childs natural talents by forcing upon them curriculum and methods that we think are best or further our personal agenda. Which approach works best in your experience?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Look for my upcoming blog on acceleration options. Leave this field blank. Search Search. Newsletter Sign Up. The Sound of Calm in the Classroom. Back to the Blogs. Search form Search. About The Blogger. Steve Haberlin. He holds a Ph. View Blog. Back to Blog Enrichment or Acceleration? Report Abusive or Spam Comment. Trending Report Card Comments It's report card time and you face the prospect of writing constructive, insightful, and original comments on a couple dozen report cards or more.

Others have written at length about how to get around this, so I won't, but the best starting point is the Hoagies' Gifted Education Page. However, even if the research favors one course of action, there are still gifted kids in the minority who do not react well to acceleration, or who react very well to enrichment.

It depends mostly on the personality and level of giftedness of the child and the attitudes and abilities of the teachers who are directly involved. Also, at K's age, handwriting may be a big factor, especially for a double jump.

So your mileage may vary quite a bit from the norm. Good luck! Visit this page on the Internet at Hoagies' Gifted, Inc. Internal Revenue Code.

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