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 Maryland  

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

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

State policy permits. In general, students must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten. Information about Kindergarten entrance can be found here.

Early entrance to 1st gradeState policy permits. In general, students must be 6 years old on or before September 1 to enroll in first grade. However, COMAR 13A.08.01.02 states that "the local board of education shall adopt a regulation permitting a 5-year-old child, upon request of the parent or guardian, to be admitted to the first grade if the local superintendent of schools or the superintendent's designee determines that the child has demonstrated capabilities warranting early admission."
Whole-grade accelerationMarlyland does not have a state policy for acceleration. Information about Maryland's policy for programming options can be found here.
Early high school graduation

COMAR 13A.03.02.10 outlines alternatives to the 4-year enrollment requirement, which include early admission to college and early admission to an approved vocational, technical, or other postsecondary school program. Additionally, COMAR 13A.03.02.11 allows local school systems to develop alternative ways for individuals or groups to meet graduation requirements, including a waiver of the fourth year enrollment requirement.

The Maryland Department of Education website has more information on HighSchool Graduation Requirements

Early entrance to collegeMontgomery College offers an Early College program.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or universityState policy does allow for Dual Enrollment LEA to determine whether dual enrollment in high school and college is permitted. A concurrent enrollment program is offered at the University of Maryland, the University of Maryland Global Campus and Montgomery College  and Towson University offers dual enrollment.
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 and whether high school credit is awarded for courses taken in middle school.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits.
Talent SearchThe Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University offers a talent search along with various summer and academic programs for gifted students.
Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits proficiency-based promotion, and allows students to receive graduation credit for proficiency. Proficiency is demonstrated through end-of-course assessments, 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


Maryland Department of Education Gifted Website 

Maryland Department of Education 

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.