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 Missouri  

State statute requires each school district to establish a policy allowing for acceleration for qualified students.  

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergartenKindergarten states that students must be 5 years old on or before August 1 to enroll in kindergarten. Some exceptions may be granted by the school district.
Early entrance to 1st gradeFirst Grade states that students who are 6 years old on or before August 1, and students who have completed an accredited kindergarten program (regardless of age) will be permitted to enroll in 1st grade. 
Whole-grade acceleration

School districts must establish a board approved policy for whole grade acceleration .

Early high school graduationMissouri's Graduation Requirements outlines the requirements and options for high school graduation in Missouri. Additional information can be found in the Graduation Handbook. 
Early entrance to collegeStudents may enroll in college early.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or universityEach LEA determines the earliest grade/age for dual enrollment.  Missouri State , Missouri Valley College and Missouri Southern State are some colleges that offer dual credit. 
Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

State policy specifically permits dual enrollment in middle and high school, and allows students to receive graduation credit for courses taken in middle school.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits, and more information is available on the Missouri Department of Education Advanced Placement page.
Talent Search

There is no in-state talent search program in Missouri, but gifted students in MO can participate in regional and national talent search programs such as those offered by the University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center .

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits proficiency-based promotion, and allows students to receive graduation credit for demonstrating proficiency. Each LEA is responsible for determine methods of demonstrating proficiency and advancement options after proficiency. More information can be found in the Graduation Handbook. 
Other forms of content-based acceleration

School districts must establish a policy for subject acceleration.

Additional Information

Missouri Department of Education Gifted Website
Missouri Department of Education
Gifted Association of Missouri
The Gifted Resource Council provides programs and resources for gifted children in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area.

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.