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 Wisconsin  

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

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

State policy specifically permits early entrance to kindergarten; LEA determine guidelines for implementation. Kindergarten enrollment information can be found here.


Early entrance to 1st gradeWis. Stat. Sec. 120.12(25) provides LEA the power to set procedures, conditions, and standards for early entrance to 1st grade. First Grade enrollment information can be found here.
Whole-grade accelerationAny LEA can make the decision to accelerate (or not accelerate) a student. For more information on acceleration in Wisconsin, see this Continuum of Services that guides gifted programming in the state.
Early high school graduationState policy permits, if the student has met the graduation requirements outlined in Wisconsin Statute 118.33(1).  Wisconsin's Graduation Requirements can be found here.
State Gifted School Conserve School
Early entrance to collegeInformation about Wisconsin's Early College Credit Program can be found here.

Content-based Acceleration

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

State policy specifically permits. Information about Dual Enrollment in Wisconsin can be found here.

Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

State policy specifically permits dual enrollment in middle and high school, but does not allow students to receive high school credit for courses taken during middle school.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits. Information about Advanced Placement can be found here.
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for Wisconsin, but gifted students in WI 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 proficiency-based promotion, and leaves LEA to determine what methods are used to demonstrate proficiency. Each LEA is also left to determine advancement options after proficiency, and state policy specifically permits students to receive graduation credit for proficiency. Read more about policies regarding proficiency-based exemptions to graduation requirements in 118.33(1).
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! 

Advanced and Accelerated Learning in Wisconsin (2020 report on acceleration)

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Gifted
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Wisconsin Association for Talented & Gifted

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.