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 New Jersey  

New Jersey 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 kindergarten

No state policy; up to LEA to determine whether early entrance to kindergarten is permitted.

New Jersey Statute states that anyone over the age of five and under the age of six is guaranteed enrollment in kindergarten. Four-year-olds may be admitted, though they are not guaranteed admittance; it would be up to local districts to admit a four-year-old child. 

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

The New Jersey Student Learning Standards imply that whole-grade acceleration, or grade skipping, is permitted. These frameworks offer suggestions for differentiating and adapting content to meet the needs of high-ability learners include a variety of accelerative options.

Early high school graduationNew Jersey outlines Graduation Requirements .
Early entrance to collegeIf you know where to find this information, please e mail us.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or university

State policy specifically permits dual enrollment in high school and college, beginning in grade 9 for Cooperative Innovative Schools and in grade 11 for other Career and College Promise Pathway Programs. State policy specifically permits students to receive high school credit for college courses.

NJAC 6A:8-5.1(a)2iii (on page 30) states that, "District boards of education shall establish a process to approve post-secondary learning opportunities that may consist of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), or concurrent/dual enrollment at accredited higher education institutions. (1) District boards of education shall award credit for successful completion of an approved, accredited college course that assures achievement of knowledge and skills that meets or exceeds the Core Curriculum Content Standards."

Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

No state policy; up to LEA to determine.
Advanced Placement®NJAC 6A:8-5.1(a)2iii (on page 30) states that, "District boards of education shall establish a process to approve post-secondary learning opportunities that may consist of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), or concurrent/dual enrollment at accredited higher education institutions. (1) District boards of education shall award credit for successful completion of an approved, accredited college course that assures achievement of knowledge and skills that meets or exceeds the Core Curriculum Content Standards."
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for New Jersey, but gifted students in NJ 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 allows students to receive graduation credit for proficiency. Each LEA is responsible for determining 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

New Jersey Department of Education Gifted and Talented
New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Association for Gifted Children

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.