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 Idaho  

Idaho's state policy leaves local education agencies (LEA) to determine whether and to what extent acceleration is permitted.

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

State policy does not permit. Students must be 5 by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten.


Early entrance to 1st gradeStudents must be 6 by September 1 to enroll in first grade.
Whole-grade accelerationInformation regarding Best Practices for Gifted and Talented programming in Idaho can be found here.
Early high school graduationState policy permits. The Mastery Advancement Program enables districts and charter schools to utilize mastery exams to allow students to progress quicker through high school.  For Idaho's High School Graduation Requirements including early Graduation click here. Information about Idaho's Advanced Opportunities Program 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.

Idaho public and private universities offer concurrent credits to high-ability high school students. Information Idaho's Advanced Opportunities Program about dual credit can be found here.

Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

State policy leaves LEA to determine whether dual enrollment in middle and high school is permitted.
Advanced Placement®Idaho schools offer Advanced Placement courses, and encourage students to enroll in the courses and take AP exams. 
Talent Search

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

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy leaves LEA to determine whether proficiency-based promotion is permitted.
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

Idaho Gifted and Talented
Idaho Department of Education
Idaho: The 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.