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 Ohio  

Ohio does have a state acceleration policy.

Ohio state policy specifically permits acceleration. Visit the Ohio Department of Education Acceleration for Advanced Learners webpage for more information about state policy and practices. Information about the states Model Student Acceleration Policy can be found here. 

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

State policy specifically permits. ORC 3321.01 states that a child who does not meet the age requirement for entering kindergarten may be evaluated for early admission upon referral by parent/guardian, educator, pediatrician or psychologist. More information is available on the Ohio Department of Education Kindergarten webpage.

Early entrance to 1st grade

State policy leaves LEA to decide. Information about the states policy on early entrance to First Grade can be found here. Parents/guardians, educators, pediatricians, and psychologists can make referrals for evaluation of students who do not turn 6 before the district's cut-off date, and the district will make a determination using the state acceleration policy.

Whole-grade accelerationThe Ohio Department of Education Academic Acceleration for Advanced Learners webpage offers information and PDF documents regarding the state acceleration policy. This policy allows for subject and whole-grade acceleration.
Early high school graduationOhio has alternate means of earning a high school diploma. See the Ohio graduation requirements for more information.
Early entrance to collegeState policy permits. See the college prep and early college programs page for more information.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or universityState policy specifically permits dual enrollment in middle school or high school and college for students in grades seven through twelve, and allows students to receive high school credit for college courses. Ohio has a College Credit Plus program that helps high school students earn high school and college credit. More information on dual enrollment is available on the Ohio Department of Education college prep and early college webpage.
Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

State policy specifically permits dual enrollment in middle and high school, and allows students to receive high school credit for courses taken in middle school. State Code that is effective June 12, 2024 can be found here. 
Advanced Placement®State policy does permit. Information about Ohio's AP and IB Fee Reimbursement Program can be found here. 
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for Ohio, but gifted students in OH can participate in regional and national talent searches, including those offered by the University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center and the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development.

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits, and allows graduation credit for proficiency. Each LEA is ultimately responsible for determining methods of demonstrating proficiency, but the state suggests multiple choice tests, essays, lab experiments, standardized tests,  oral exams, portfolios, and performance. Advancement options after proficiency include individualized instruction, correspondence courses, independent study, dual/concurrent enrollment, cross-grade grouping, cluster grouping, grade/course advancement, individualized education programs, and internships, but the LEA makes the determination.
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

Ohio Department of Education Gifted Website
Ohio Department of Education
Ohio 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 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.