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 Massachusetts  

Massachusetts does not have a state acceleration policy. LEA's make acceleration decisions.

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

603 CMR 8.02 states that "Each school committee may establish its own minimum permissible age for school attendance, provided that such age is not older than the mandatory minimum age established by 603CMR 8.00.”

Early entrance to 1st gradeIf you know where to find this information, please e-mail us.
Whole-grade accelerationIf you know where to find this information, please e-mail us.
Early high school graduation

High school graduation in Massachusetts requires students to complete state and local requirements and meet the competency determination standard. More information about high school graduation requirements is available on the Massachusetts Department of Education Comprehensive Assessment webpage.

Early entrance to college

There are several early entrance to college opportunities in Massachusetts, including Boston University Academy, Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science, and Simon's Rock College of Bard.


Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or universityUnder state policy, students are allowed to dual/concurrent enrollment.  Boston University offers programs for gifted students, including High School Honors which allows high school students to earn up to eight college credits in a six-week summer session, and Summer Preview, which gives current eighth and ninth graders a taste of college life.
Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

No state policy; up to LEA to determine.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits, and exam fee subsidies may be available.
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for Massachusetts, but gifted students in MA 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

No state policy; up to LEA to determine.
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

Massachusetts Department of Education Gifted
Massachusetts Department of Education
Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education

The information presented on this page was compiled from a variety of resources, including the State of the States in Gifted Education 2020-2021 (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.