In a perfect world, children would learn at the level that is appropriate for them no matter what the age and grade level. In this world, every class would have varying age levels and it would be the norm. It would be easy to accomplish and relatively inexpensive for school districts. Unfortunately, reality (at least in the US)is that age and grade are correlated. If you are 7 you are in the second grade. If you are 9 you are in the 4th grade, etc. This makes whole grade acceleration into a radical solution to the probelm of appropriate fit. I am wholeheartedly in favor of whole grade acceleration. But I also acknowledge that while it solves many problems it does not come without cost. A gradeskipped child (especially one with multiple skips) will stand out, will be faced with social concerns that they mat not be ready for.....I could go on and on. We all know the problems. If a child can be accomodated without taking them out of their same age placement than I think every effort should be made to do so first. If it doesn't work, then move on to whole grade acceleration.
Ah, I fully agree and this clarifies our positions - I think a lot of it is where you come from. I am in a place where any accleration is a huge battle. Even a child who is only 1 month away from the cutoff (so very old for his or her current class), high achieving with full mastery of the current subjects, mature for his or her age, (and all those other IAS factors) will have a major fight on their hands - but any other form of accomodation for a gifted student is even less likely to occur - so acceleration is often the only (and sometime a good) option.
Cat
