In stark contrast to remediation practices, accelerated learning strategically prepares students for success in the present. While past concepts and skills are still addressed, they are strategically selected within the purposeful context of future learning. When educators have the knowledge, skills, and training to make high-quality evaluative judgments and plan next steps from the evidence derived from formative assessments, accelerated learning can take place. The following activities can support this principle.

Key for tables: Y = Yes, likely to be an allowable use of these funds; N = No, unlikely to be an allowable use of these funds

1. Collect various data (e.g., Start Strong assessment data, benchmark assessment, informal reading inventories, class discussions, etc.) to identify gaps in student knowledge and skills. Consider:

• Purchasing and using a comprehensive data management system that aggregates data from various sources to help teachers make better informed and just-in-time decisions on how to tailor teaching to individual student needs.
• Periodically analyzing data to understand how different groups of students may be unequally represented in various courses.
• Helping school staff learn how to better use data to tailor instruction, including formative data to prepare students for transitions to higher level classes. Pay special attention to various subgroups of students, such as English language learners and migrant/homeless students.

2. Set grade-level learning objectives based on priority content. Develop staff teams to:

• Define success criteria (mastery, proficiency).
• Use the Prerequisite Concepts and Skills resource and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) to identify the critical knowledge necessary to meet grade-level proficiency or mastery of the learning objectives.
• Communicate the learning objectives for the prerequisite and grade level content to students and families.

3. Provide professional development on formative practices and support for teachers to identify each student’s learning needs and then differentiate assignments, instructional methods, and feedback to meet them:

• Provide specific, actionable, and immediate feedback to students.
• Quickly adjust instruction to meet individual learning needs.
• Engage students in small group work, self-assessment, peer assessment, and student: teacher conferencing to adjust learning strategies to reach the learning objectives.
• Incorporate unfinished learning activities throughout the year in the context of just-in-time instruction.
• Provide extra supports for English language learners, migrant/homeless students, and students with disabilities.

4. Provide training on formative practices and additional planning time to help staff continually monitor student learning progression towards learning objectives by:

• Documenting student progress toward learning objectives, identifying needs and patterns of learning.
• Implementing strategies to support student self-monitoring of their successes and challenges.
• Breaking down concepts or skills within each learning goal to accommodate students’ learning rates.
• Establishing new goals for student learning based on learning objectives.

Although this resource discusses Federal laws and regulations, it is intended solely to provide general information and does not constitute legal advice. This guidance provides a general overview of allowable activities, but whether or not a particular cost can be supported with Federal funds depends on the underlying facts and circumstances and State and Federal rules (e.g. New Jersey Treasury Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Uniform Grant Guidelines, respectively). Therefore, an activity listed in this resource may not be allowable in all circumstances, and conversely, an activity not listed in this resource may be allowable. This guide was created to demonstrate how programs, strategies, or initiatives may be supported with Federal funds. Please note a school or local education agency is under no obligation to use its Federal funds for those programs or activities highlighted in this guide.