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[quote=Anonymous]Of course every situation is different but some reasons for accelerating early. First is that the learning needs to be at a level that is not too easy and not too difficult, and I don’t agree with the idea of “slowing down’ just for the sake of availability of classes etc. Of course you can go deep instead of going faster, but a lot of times this is equated to studying for competition math which in my view is a bit of a waste of time, and I’d much prefer a real life project based alternative. For STEM it’s hard to get into these projects if there’s not a basic foundation in place and that’s way beyond Algebra 1.

Another reason to accelerate early is that it opens up taking real science classes, particularly for Physics , which has a strong math requirement, and having a wider basic understanding of math is preferable to going deep in a few areas. Then Physics opens up Chemistry which opens up Biology etc.

There’s also the argument that the student isn’t ready because he needs support. At least in some cases this us a misunderstanding. The support is there to enhance and optimize the learning, and in part because a 10 year old doesn’t have the executive function of a high school student. That doesn’t mean he’s not ready for whatever class, I’d compare it more with someone with a learning disability like dislexia, it doesn’t disqualify anyone from taking a class, you just need some specific support in an area you are deficient in.

To assess readiness for a class like algebra there are plenty of diagnostics test to chose from. The one that seems to be used often is MAP, where he got 249 in the 6+ version of the test. To me that’s indicative of Algebra readiness, which was also confirmed by other tests he took.

As for other things he’s doing, he’s playing his fair share if video games, hanging with friends, taking a sport. For music he gave up pretty quickly on guitar and we left it at that. Reading is ok but it never happens for pleasure. Another aspect of acceleration is finding something the child has and interest in and is good at and as a parent nurturing and supporting that part. It’s fine if he drops it later for something else, just focusing intensely on a small area has some educational benefit on its own.
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