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Accelerations and delays

Criteria for acceleration and deceleration of children between grades in primary schools in Garðabær.

Acceleration or delay between cohorts

If parents or guardians request an acceleration or delay between grades, a reasoned request must be sent to the principal of the primary school. It is desirable that the request be received before February 1 of the year in which the transfer from the autumn is requested. However, the principal may agree to accept applications at another time and process them immediately.

Acceleration of completion of studies

According to the Compulsory Education Act, the principal is authorized to graduate a student from compulsory school before the completion of 10 years of compulsory education. The condition is that the student has achieved the competence standards of the National Curriculum Guide.

If parents request an acceleration, it is the principal, with the assistance of school services, who assesses when and how the acceleration will take place. Parents apply in writing to the principal for an acceleration of the end of a student's primary school education. It is desirable that a request for an acceleration of the end of primary school education be received by the end of the 8th grade.

The process

  1. The principal receives feedback from school staff before making a decision. The feedback covers:
    1. The educational and developmental status of students, including competence based on standards that apply to peers.
    2. Social status within the student body.
    3. Whether the Student Welfare Board supports your application (for acceleration or delay between cohorts).
    4. Communication with children and adults (when accelerating the end of studies).
  3. A school psychologist assesses intellectual development using a recognized intelligence test and submits a written report. He also looks at family circumstances and assesses social skills, behavior, and well-being.
  4. The principal makes a final decision based on these reports. The decision is made within 3 months of receiving the request.
    1. If an application is approved, the principal will notify the guardian in a letter and send a copy to the elementary school department.
    2. If the principal rejects the application, he or she will notify the child’s parents or guardians, stating the reasons. Parents may comment on the proposed refusal. If the decision to refuse is still pending, the principal will notify them in a letter with instructions on how to appeal to the Ministry of Education. A copy of the letter to the guardians will be sent to the Department of Primary Education.