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 Indiana  

Indiana 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 whether early entrance to kindergarten is permitted.

In general, students must be 5 on or before August 1st to enroll in kindergarten. However, the school corporation may enroll a child who will turn by October 1, 2020 Kindergarten Enrollment, but each LEA develops its own process. Additional information about Indiana's Early Learning programs can be found here.

Early entrance to 1st gradeThere is no statewide eligibility date for first grade. Instead, state policy assigns responsibility to each LEA to determine the appropriate grade placement, based on educational factors, for a student who has not completed kindergarten.
Whole-grade accelerationIf you know where to find this information, please e-mail us.
Early high school graduationInformation about Indiana's Graduation Pathways can be found here. 
Early entrance to collegeIndiana does permit Early College. 

Content-based Acceleration

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

No state policy; up to LEA to determine whether dual enrollment in high school and college is permitted. More information can be found in the Indiana Department of Education Dual Credit and here. 

The University of Indianapolis created a network of Early College High Schools in Indiana to serve students who are historically underrepresented in higher education, such as racial and ethnic minorities, students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college students, and English language learners.

Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

No state policy; up to LEA to determine whether and to what extent dual enrollment in middle and high school is permitted, and whether high school credits are awarded for courses taken during middle school.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits. For more information, see the Indiana Department of Education Advanced Placement Program page.
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for Indiana, but gifted students in IN 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 leaves LEA to determine whether proficiency-based promotion is permitted. Information about receiving credits by proficiency can be found 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

Indiana Department of Education Office of High Ability Education
Indiana Department of Education
Indiana 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.