The Most Overlooked Support for 2e Students: Acceleration
When navigating and supporting the challenges and struggles that our 2e students face, we sometimes we forget to address their talents. Let’s remedy that. As a firm believer in strengths-based education, we believe in nurturing the strengths, talents, and interests of 2e students, which can include traditional academics: math, language arts, science, etc.
While not all 2e students are academically talented (nor do they need to be), those that are often face more hurdles than their gifted counterparts. Twice-exceptional students are often denied access to accelerated learning paths because of their learning differences, especially in traditional school environments.
If this sounds like your learner, don’t fret: There are many paths to help your accelerated learner access appropriately leveled materials outside of the traditional path.
AP or advanced classes online. Many learning platforms (including YSA!) provide online classes for advanced learners. Through these programs, your student can take AP-level materials or other advanced-interest classes. Students can register through College Board to take AP tests and can usually find a willing, local high-school to proctor the exam. For those academically motivated students, online AP classes can be a real joy because of the advanced pace of the materials and the depth into which the materials can go. There is also no requirement to take any exit test. The classes can be taken just because, and many of these classes include the full student experience with live teachers, student discussions, and test/homework practice and feedback. If AP classes sound appealing to your learner, check out the AP classes offered at Young Scholars Academy.
MOOCs. It may sound like a delicious coffee concoction, but a MOOC is actually a massive online open course. These courses are often free, although some provide more services like certificates or graded coursework for a fee. MOOCs are usually recorded lessons from colleges, high schools, or other learning centers. Students register for classes and then follow along. While most of these classes don’t provide any student feedback, they can be a great avenue of information for motivated learners. Both Edx.org and Kahn Academy provide classes for self-directed learners.
College courses. This step can be a bit trickier to access for younger learners, but with a little fortitude and detective skills, parents can help their students take and earn college credits. Look into both online schools like ASU’s Universal Learner program, and also local colleges and universities. For most of these schools, your learner needs to meet the requirements for entry into the school or program (such as SATs or pre-requisites). Many of these schools also offer entry options such as auditing a class, concurrent enrollment, or dual enrollment. Additionally, many schools have disability services, and they can help your child receive accommodations necessary for success.
Access learning sideways. MIT often talks about students who gain admissions by applying “sideways”, as in not following a traditional academic path but instead through a high-interest path. Let your student follow their interests as deep and as far as they can. They will learn an incredible amount of academic-adjacent topics. Let your child take a camp, join a citizen science project, find a mentor, write a book, whatever it is that lights their fire. We are big believers in strength-based learning - seriously, you can read about it here, here, or here. Even those learners who thrive in academic settings can gain a better and deeper understanding of their subject through project-based, or strength-based learning opportunities.
Remember that accelerated 2e students still need support for their challenge areas, so it is important to find a place or class that really allows the strengths to shine. Sometimes those supports can seem wildly asynchronous from their strengths, but that is the nature of a spikey, 2e profile and should never be used to deny a child access to their strength areas.
What ways have you provided accelerated learning to your 2e learner? Let us know in the comments below!
As always, check out our classes to find a ton of strength-based, talent-driven learning opportunities for your 2e student!
