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 North Carolina  

North Carolina does have a state acceleration policy. 

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

State policy specifically permits. § 115C 364 states that “A child who has passed the fourth anniversary of the child's birth on or before April 16 may enter kindergarten if the child is presented for enrollment no later than the end of the first month of the school year and if the principal of the school finds, based on information submitted by the child's parent or guardian, that the child is gifted and that the child has the maturity to justify admission to the school.” Specific guidelines for early entrance to kindergarten are outlined in 16 NCAC 6E.0105.

Early entrance to 1st grade§ 115C-364 states that the initial entry point into the school system for all children is kindergarten. However, if the school principal determines that first grade would be a more appropriate placement, he or she may "implement this educational decision without regard to chronological age." § 115C-288 gives the principal the power to do this, and states that this type of decision will not be solely based on standardized test scores.
Whole-grade accelerationThis page from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction implies support for acceleration, including whole-grade acceleration.
Early high school graduationState policy will allow early high school graduation starting in the 2024-2025 school year (page 194). Instead off the typical 28 credits required for graduation in most North Carolina schools, schools will now have the option to offer a three-year high school graduation plan that will only require 22 credits to graduate. Interested students will have to demonstrate eligibility and parents will have to give consent. Read more about it in the North Carolina Graduation Requirements.
Early entrance to collegeState policy permits. One early college high school program in North Carolina is Early College at Guilford (ECG).

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or universityState policy specifically permits dual enrollment in high school and college. Each LEA is responsible for determining the earliest grade/age for dual enrollment, and whether high school credit is awarded for college courses. Career and College Promise is North Carolinas dual enrollment program.Cooperative Innovative High School Programs is another option for accelerated students.
Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

No state policy; up to LEA to determine whether dual enrollment in middle and high school is permitted.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits. Click here for more information Advanced Placement.
Talent SearchIf you know of any information, please e mail us.
Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits proficiency-based promotion, and allows graduation credit for proficiency. State Board of Education policy mandates a multi-phase assessment with a minimum of 1 examination and 1 artifact demonstrating deep understanding of content. Other methods of demonstrating proficiency include multiple choice tests, essays, lab experiments, standardized tests, oral exams, portfolio, and performance. Advancement options after proficiency are ultimately left to the LEA to determine, but could include individualized instruction, independent study, dual/concurrent enrollment, cross-grade grouping, cluster grouping, grade/course advancement, individualized education programs, and internships. For additional information, click here.
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

Governors School of North Carolina

North Carolina Advanced Learning and Gifted Education
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
North Carolina Association for 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 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.