Eighty years of international research have endorsed acceleration as a highly effective vehicle for the delivery of developmentally appropriate instruction to academically gifted learners. However, the decision to accelerate should not be rushed or taken lightly. It requires wise and thoughtful planning. Which of the 18 research-endorsed forms of acceleration will best meet the needs of this particular student? Should he or she accelerate now or later? Who should be involved in the planning? Can acceleration be on a trial basis? Using Feldhusen's 12-step acceleration guidelines together with the Iowa Acceleration Scale provides a sound framework for decision-making on acceleration.