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 Maine  

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

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergartenTitle 20-A Chapter 213 §5201 states that students must be 5 years old on October 15 of the year they wish to enroll in school.
Early entrance to 1st grade

Title 20-A Chapter 213 §5201  states that "a person who has enrolled in a public kindergarten or grade one in another state may enroll in kindergarten or grade one, as the case may be, in the school administrative unit where the parent or guardian become residents."

Whole-grade accelerationMaine Department of Education Regulation 104[opens a Word document]: 104.4 General Principles for Gifted and Talented Educational Programs. Gifted and talented programs in the State are to be based on the following educational principles: (1.) Gifted and talented children need to move at their own rate, regardless of chronological age or grade placement; therefore, academic subjects, including the fine arts, shall be taught to them in a manner that allows them to learn at their appropriate instructional level and at their own pace. 
Early high school graduation


Information about Maine's Diploma Pathways can be found here. 

Early entrance to collegeInformation about the University of Maine's Early College program can be found here. 

Content-based Acceleration

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

Maine does have state policy about Dual Enrollment  and Early College Programs. More information about Maine's Early College opportunities can be found here. 

Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

No state policy; up to LEA to determine.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits. Some information about Maine's AP programming can be found here. 
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for Maine, but gifted students in ME 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.

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits proficiency-based promotion and the award of high school credit to students who demonstrate proficiency. Each LEA determines methods of demonstrating proficiency and 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

State gifted legislation
Maine Department of Education
Maine Educators of the Gifted & Talented

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.