• SINGLE SUBJECT & GRADE ACCELERATION

    The 2023-2024 credit by exam acceleration registration window will open on October 9, 2023. Updated credit by exam acceleration information, including the 2023-2024 testing calendar, will also be available at that time. Questions can be directed to Dr. Rhonda Whitman, Director of Federal Programs, Assessments, & Instructional Materials, at rhonda.whitman@dsisdtx.us or 512-838-3053.

    Advanced Academics & Acceleration Parent Information Meeting Presentation (February 13, 2023)

    Study Guides for UT Credit by Exams

    CREDIT BY EXAM WITH NO PRIOR INSTRUCTION

    Whole Grade Acceleration: Grades 1-5

    A current DSISD student in elementary school, who has not received instruction at the grade level tested, will be eligible to accelerate to the next grade level if the student scores at least 80 percent on each exam in the subject areas of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies; the DSISD Acceleration Committee recommends the student be accelerated; and the student’s parent or guardian gives written approval of the grade advancement.

    Parents should complete and sign the Referral for Single Academic Subject or Whole Grade Acceleration: Grades1-5 form (linked below) by the appropriate request and registration deadlines posted below. 

    Parents and students are responsible for reviewing the UT Study Guide for specific exams your student is taking. These study guides cover exam structure, content, and requirements. Study guides can be found linked below. DSISD DOES NOT provide textbooks or instructional materials for Exams for Acceleration.

    Frequently Asked Questions

        

    Single Academic Subject Acceleration: Grades 1-5

    A current DSISD student in elementary school will be permitted to take an exam to accelerate in an academic course or subject area for which the student has had no prior instruction, i.e., for advancement, or to accelerate to the next grade level. The exams offered by the district are approved by the district’s Board of Trustees.  

    A student may qualify to accelerate with a passing score of at least 80% on the exam, the DSISD Acceleration Committee recommends the student be accelerated, and the student's parent or guardian gives written approval of the single academic subject acceleration. If a student fails to achieve the designated score on the applicable exam before the beginning of the school year in which the student would need to enroll in the course according to the school’s course sequence, the student must complete the course.

    Parents should complete and sign the Referral for Single Academic Subject or Whole Grade Acceleration: Grades 1-5 form (linked below) by the appropriate Request and Registration Deadlines posted below.

    Parents and students are responsible for reviewing the UT Study Guide for specific exams your student is taking. These study guides cover exam structure, content, and requirements. Study guides can be found linked below. DSISD DOES NOT provide textbooks or instructional materials for Exams for Acceleration.

    Transfer Students: Acceleration Process for Grades 1-5

    Parents should read the information below to understand the process for acceleration testing for transfer students, complete, and sign the Transfer Student Referral for Single Academic Subject or Whole Grade Acceleration: Grades 1-5 form (linked below) according to the timelines posted below. Transfer applications will open August 1, 2021.

    Parents and students are responsible for reviewing the UT Study Guide for specific exams your student is taking. These study guides cover exam structure, content, and requirements. Study guides can be found linked below. DSISD DOES NOT provide textbooks or instructional materials for Exams for Acceleration.

    In-State Transfers:

    Students WITH Academic Records Including Acceleration from an Accredited Institution:

    Students in Grades 1-5 who transfer to DSISD who have a record of grade or subject level acceleration from an accredited institution will be placed in the corresponding grade-level classes as reflected on their academic transcripts.

    Students WITHOUT Academic Records Including Acceleration from an Accredited Institution:

    1. Students in Grades 1-4 who transfer from in state to DSISD within the first 6 weeks will have the opportunity to be assessed for academic subject acceleration.
      • Applications, testing, and placement recommendations must be made within the first 6 weeks of the academic school year.
      • Transfer Applications will open August 1, 2021.
    2. Students in Grade 1-Grade 4 who transfer from in state to DSISD after the first 6 weeks of the academic school year may be assessed and recommended for acceleration for the following academic school year.
      • If a student shows high levels of academic ability and achievement, interventions will be made within current classroom placement to meet the advanced learning needs of the student until formal assessment and placement can be made for the following academic year.
    3. Students in Grade 5 who transfer from in state to DSISD within the first 6 weeks of the academic school year will have the opportunity to be assessed for academic subject acceleration.
      • Applications, testing, and placement recommendations must be made within the first 6 weeks of the academic school year.
      • Transfer Applications will open August 1, 2021
    4. Students in Grade 5 who transfer from in state to DSISD after the first 6 weeks of the academic school year may be assessed and recommended for acceleration for the following academic school year.
      • If a student shows high levels of academic ability and achievement, interventions will be made within current classroom placement to meet the advanced learning needs of the student until formal assessment and placement can be made for the following academic year.

    Out-of-State Transfers:

    Students WITH Academic Records Including Acceleration from an Accredited Institution:

    1. Students in Grades 1-5 who transfer to DSISD from out of state who have record of acceleration from an accredited institution will be formally assessed to determine appropriate placement in grade-level classes.
      • Assessment for out of state transfers is necessary due to varying curriculum requirements from state to state.
      • Assessment, evaluation, and acceleration recommendations will be made within six weeks of a student transferring to DSISD.

    Students WITHOUT Academic Records Including Acceleration from an Accredited Institution:

    1. Students in Grade 1-Grade 4 who transfer from out of State to DSISD within the first six weeks will have the opportunity to be assessed for academic subject acceleration
      • Applications, testing, and placement recommendations must be made within the first six weeks of the academic school year
      • Transfer Applications will open August 1, 2021.
    2. Students in Grade 1-Grade 4 who transfer from out of state to DSISD after the first six weeks of the academic school year may be assessed and recommended for acceleration for the following academic school year
      • If a student shows high levels of academic ability and achievement, interventions will be made within current classroom placement to meet the advanced learning needs of the student until formal assessment and placement can be made for the following academic year
    3. Students in Grade 5 who transfer from out of State to DSISD within the first six weeks will have the opportunity to be assessed for academic subject acceleration
      • Applications, testing, and placement recommendations must be made within the first six weeks of the academic school year
      • Transfer Applications will open August 1, 2021.
    4. Students in Grade 5 who transfer from in State to DSISD after the first six weeks of the academic school year may be assessed and recommended for acceleration for the following academic school year
      • If a student shows high levels of academic ability and achievement, interventions will be made within current classroom placement to meet the advanced learning needs of the student until formal assessment and placement can be made for the following academic year

     

     Credit by Exam for Academic Acceleration: Grades 6-12

    A student in Grades 6-12 will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit for an academic course or subject area for which the student has had no prior instruction, i.e., for advancement, or to accelerate to the next grade level. The exams offered by the district are approved by the district’s Board of Trustees. State law requires the use of certain exams, such as College Board Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) when applicable. 

    A student may earn course credit with a passing score of at least 80 percent on the exam, a scaled score of 50 or higher on an exam administered through the CLEP, or a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam, as applicable.  A student may take an exam to earn course credit no more than twice. If a student fails to achieve the designated score on the applicable exam before the beginning of the school year in which the student would need to enroll in the course according to the school’s course sequence, the student must complete the course.

    Parents should complete and sign the Credit by Exam for Acceleration Parent/Student Request for Assessment: Grade 6-Grade 12 form (linked below) by the appropriate Registration Deadlines posted below.

    Parents and students are responsible for reviewing the UT Study Guide for specific exams your student is taking. These study guides cover exam structure, content, and requirements. Study guides can be found linked below. DSISD DOES NOT provide textbooks or instructional materials for Credit by Exams. 

     

      *If a student plans to take an exam, the student (or parent) must request an assessment and register no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled testing window. The only exceptions to the published dates will be for any exams administered by another entity besides the district. In this case, a student and the district must comply with the testing schedule of the other entity. During each testing window provided by the district, a student may attempt a specific exam only once. For further information, see policy EHCD (LOCAL). 

     

    For Questions or CBE/Acceleration Appeals Contact:
    Rhonda Whitman
    rhonda.whitman@dsisdtx.us

    Credit by Exam with Prior Instruction (Credit Recovery)

    Credit by exam is also offered to students who attempted a course or subject and did not pass, or to determine appropriate placement for students transferring from home school or non-accredited schools. The student is required to score at least 70 percent on such a test to demonstrate subject mastery. A student who has had sufficient prior formal instruction as determined by the District on the basis of a review of the student’s educational records and who has failed a course with a grade of no less than 60 may gain credit for the course by passing a proficiency examination on the essential knowledge and skills of the course. Exams are offered through Texas Tech University and/or the University of Texas based on fees established by the testing entity. The student or his/her parents are responsible for all costs and fees associated with each credit by exam. The attendance committee may allow a student with excessive absences to receive credit for a course by passing an examination. A student may not use credit by exam to regain eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities. Scores must be received at the appropriate campus two weeks prior to the first day of school in order to prepare student schedules.

    Promotion Requirements

    Kindergarten
    Promotion to Grade 1 is based on a comprehensive assessment of academic indicators, as well as other areas of development.

    Grades 1-2
    Promotion to the next grade level is based on a student's mastery of 70 percent of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for language arts, mathematics, science and/or social studies.

    Grades 3-8
    Students must attain a 70 average in core academic courses (language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) and have an overall 70 average for all courses taken in order to be promoted to the next grade level.

    Grade 9
    To enter Grade 9, a student must have been promoted from 8th grade.

    Grade 10
    To enter Grade 10, a student must have earned at least six credits towards graduation, including English I, Algebra I, one required science credit, and one required social studies credit.

    Grade 11
    To enter Grade 11, a student must have earned at least 12 credits toward graduation, including English II, Geometry, two required social studies credits, and two required science credits.

    Grade 12
    To enter Grade 12, a student must have earned at least 18 credits toward graduation, including English III.