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 Connecticut  

Connecticut does not have a state policy on acceleration. Local education agencies (LEA) determine whether and to what extent acceleration is permitted.

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

No state policy; up to LEA to determine. Starting with the 24/25 school year, Kindergarten entry age is 5 years old by September 1 of the school year of enrollment. 

Students may be considered for early entrance per PA 23-208, which states that "a child under 5 years old as of September 1 to be admitted to kindergarten if the parent or guardian makes a written request to the school principal, and the principal and an appropriate staff person conduct an assessment that shows the child is developmentally ready for kindergarten."

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

Local districts are allowed to make programming decisions. “11. School districts are not required to provide programming for children identified as gifted and talented. Instead, programming is permissive. Parents, then, can ask for educational services that accommodate the educational needs of their children, but districts are not required to provide such special educational services.”

The Connecticut Department of Education offers more information about Gifted and Talented  as it pertains to identification for gifted services.

Early high school graduationRequirements vary by district. It is likely that districts have latitude in determining requirements and methods for fulfilling the requirements.
State Gifted SchoolSome information about Connecticuts Magnet Schools can be found here. 
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 leaves LEA to determine whether and to what extent dual enrollment in high school and college is permitted.

There are several dual enrollment programs through Connecticut universities. For example, The Yale Summer Session allows students entering their last year of high school to earn college credit by taking classes with current college students. Another such program, the UConn Early College Experience (ECE), is a concurrent enrollment program that allows motivated high school students to take UConn courses at their high schools for both high school and college credit.

Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

No state policy; up to LEA to determine.
Advanced Placement®If you know where to find this information, please e-mail us.
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for Connecticut, but gifted students in CT 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. Additional opportunities include those offered at William and Mary and at Purdue University. 

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits proficiency-based promotion, and allows students who demonstrate proficiency to receive graduation credit. Proficiency is demonstrated by performance, and each LEA determines 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


Gifted and Talented Education: Guidance

Connecticut Gifted and Talented
Connecticut Department of Education
Connecticut Association for the 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.