Here’s a rewritten version of teh article, aiming for uniqueness while retaining the core facts and flow from headline to CTA:
Chicago Schools Broaden Access to Advanced Learning Opportunities
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has enacted a new policy designed to make grade skipping and accelerated coursework more accessible to a wider range of students. The Chicago Board of Education gave its unanimous approval to the policy on Thursday,with the changes set to take affect for the upcoming academic year. These revisions will influence accelerated learning placements starting with the 2026-27 school year.
District officials highlighted that the updated policy aims to democratize access to advanced academic programs, noting a current disparity where most students qualifying for these opportunities reside on the city’s North Side.
under the revised guidelines, students in the 4th through 6th grades can now qualify for grade acceleration or advanced math and reading classes if their state test scores rank within the top 10% at their respective schools. Previously, a higher benchmark of “exceeding” on state tests was required, a level achieved by a significantly smaller percentage of students – approximately 4% of 4th and 6th graders and 2% of 5th graders last year, according to state data.
The new policy also eliminates fees associated with external testing. However, students who meet the initial eligibility criteria must still fulfill a series of other requirements to be approved for grade skipping or advanced coursework. These include maintaining a specific grade point average, achieving high scores on district-administered exams, and successfully passing additional assessments.
CPS anticipates that these adjustments will open doors to accelerated learning for an estimated 1,500 additional students. While the district has not yet released precise figures on last year’s eligibility numbers, reports indicate that roughly 80 students participated in grade acceleration or advanced subjects in 2022 and 2023.
Furthermore, the policy introduces a limitation on “double acceleration,” a practice where parents simultaneously seek early kindergarten entrance and a spot in a selective enrollment school, which inherently offers accelerated learning.Moving forward,parents will need to choose between these two options.
Stay informed on Chicago’s education landscape.
Sign up for Chalkbeat Chicago‘s free daily newsletter* to receive the latest news on local public schools and education policy delivered straight to your inbox.