MPS seeks state approval for ESAP/MSAP innovation waiver to accelerate over‑age students in grades 4–8

The Montgomery County Board of Education received a proposal Sept. 9 to request an innovation waiver from the Alabama State Department of Education to operate Elementary School Acceleration (ESAP) and Middle School Acceleration (MSAP) programs for students who are academically over‑age by two grade levels.

Doctor Shanice Williams, executive director for curriculum and instruction, said the waiver application would allow the district to provide a year‑round accelerated program enabling qualifying students to “recover at least 2 academic grade levels in 1 school year.” The district is seeking board approval to submit the waiver; the state typically requires about a 60‑day turnaround once an application is submitted.

Why it matters: district data show hundreds of over‑age students in early secondary grades; district leaders said an accelerated pathway could help students enter high school on‑time with their cohort rather than being retained or pushed into off‑site alternatives.

Program basics and eligibility stated by Williams: -…