The Accelerated Schools Project (ASP) developed by Henry M. Levin and colleagues began at Stanford University in 1986 as a comprehensive approach to school change, designed to improve schooling for "at-risk" children.  Instead of placing students in remedial classes, accelerated school communities accelerate learning by providing all students with challenging activities that traditionally have been reserved only for students identified as gifted and talented.

            Though this practice of remediation is intended to allow students to catch up to their peers, research finds that remediation actually causes students to fall farther and farther behind the mainstream. So, instead of remediating, accelerated schools hold high expectations for every student, and provides each student with Powerful Learning experiences that stress complex and engaging activities, relevant content and active discovery of curriculum objectives. By assessing and reflecting on the school's present status, uniting the school community around its own vision of an ideal school, and empowering every member of the community to participate in creating that school, accelerated schools transform themselves into the "dream schools" everyone would want for their own child.  
(condensed from the National Center for Accelerated Schools brochure)
         

The Accelerated Schools Center -- Ohio is located at the University of Dayton, School of Education, and was established in 1997.

The Accelerated Schools  Center -- Ohio provides initial and follow-up training, field support, mentoring, and network opportunities for member schools. Center staff assists schools in the exploration, funding, and the application process for becoming an accelerated school.