This information was produced by the staff of the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development (B-BC) at the University of Iowa (belinblank.org). The resources and information listed here are for informational purposes; there is no direct or implied endorsement by the B-BC. Services provided by the B-BC include programs for academically talented K-12 and college students, professional development for teachers, the Assessment and Counseling Clinic, the Acceleration Institute (accelerationinstitute.org), and graduate programs and research in gifted education.

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State Policies in Maine  

Maine does not have a state policy on acceleration. Local education agencies (LEAs) determine whether and to what extent acceleration is permitted.

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergartenState policy does not permit. Title 20-A Chapter 213 ยง5201 states that students must be 5 years old on October 15 of the year they wish to enroll in school.
Early entrance to 1st gradeEntrance criteria for first grade are less specific. Any student who has completed kindergarten in Maine or any other state is eligible to enroll in first grade.
Whole-grade accelerationMaine Department of Education Regulation 104[opens a Word document]: 104.4 General Principles for Gifted and Talented Educational Programs. Gifted and talented programs in the State are to be based on the following educational principles: (1.) Gifted and talented children need to move at their own rate, regardless of chronological age or grade placement; therefore, academic subjects, including the fine arts, shall be taught to them in a manner that allows them to learn at their appropriate instructional level and at their own pace. 
Early high school graduationState policy specifically permits early high school graduation, provided that the student completes all state and local Graduation Requirements. State high school graduation requirements are available in Ch. 127 of Maine's Rule Chapters for the Department of Education.
Early entrance to collegeThe Maine College of Art offers an early admission program for students who have completed their junior year of high school.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or universityNo state policy; Early College information can be found on the Maine Department of Education page. 
Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

No state policy; up to LEA to determine.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits. 
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for Maine, but gifted students in ME can participate in regional and national talent searches, including those offered by the University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits proficiency-based promotion and the award of high school credit to students who demonstrate proficiency. Each LEA determines methods of demonstrating proficiency and advancement options after proficiency.
Other forms of content-based acceleration

Typically left to LEAs to determine. If you know of state-level code, please e-mail us.

Additional Information

State gifted legislation
Maine Department of Education
Maine Educators of the Gifted & Talented

The information presented on this page was compiled from a variety of resources, including the State of the States in Gifted Education 2018-2019 (a report by the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted and the National Association for Gifted Children), Websites, professional literature, and personal communication. The Acceleration Institute has not verified the accuracy of this information and does not warrant its accuracy or fitness of use for any purpose. Users should verify information prior to taking any action. Furthermore, the appearance of selected programs and/or resources does not imply an endorsement or affiliation. Programs and resources are highlighted for informational purposes only.