Gifted Education
In every class there are students who will require the curriculum to be modified to ensure the provision of appropriate challenge for their learning. Gifted and high potential students will have this potential throughout their lives.
About giftedness
It is important to realise that ‘giftedness’ is a construct and is not directly measurable. What this means is that the instruments used to assess giftedness and to identify gifted persons attempt to measure the behaviours and characteristics which we associate with the construct.
Different communities may view giftedness differently, reflecting their cultural values. While characteristics of giftedness may be consistent across cultures the way these characteristics are manifested and valued may vary significantly.
Rather than a definition, we have endeavoured to present a commonly-accepted position of what it is to be a gifted student in Victorian schools.
Topics in this section of the website include:
- For parents – focuses on information for parents and covers the identification of gifted students and an overview of the available schooling options for gifted students. A checklist for parents is also available.
- Selective Entry Schools - information about the four Victorian selective entry schools that cater for high achieving, academically gifted students in Years 9 to 12, and the application process for entry into these schools. For advice regarding the examination to be held on 9 June please contact the Selective Entry Unit on (03) 9014 1400 or seu@edumail.vic.gov.au.
- Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program – covers the SEAL Guidelines, including: information about applying to become a SEAL Program school; preparing to introduce the SEAL program; students, inclusiveness and issues; selecting students to participate in the program; school and teacher support; and implementing the SEAL Program. A list of SEAL Program schools is also available.
- Gifted & high potential students – includes information about:Identifying gifted children, Gagné’s model of giftedness and nominating a gifted child. A checklist for teachers is also available.
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Schooling options – discusses the various schooling options available to gifted students, including:
Early entry to school; Advanced offerings in a specific subject (single-subject acceleration); Curriculum compacting; Telescoping; Year level advancement; Concurrent enrolment; Mentoring; Virtual mentoring; VCE Extension Studies; and Early entry into tertiary education. - Learning & teaching – provides a number of resources for schools, including: Grouping for instruction, via either small groups or a whole class arrangement; general resources; and Professional Learning resources.
Professional learning
Gifted Education Professional Learning Program 2009
For all gifted coordinators in schools and select entry accelerated learning coordinators
This is the fourth professional learning day for gifted coordinators and select entry accelerated learning coordinators for 2009 and will be held on 23 November 2009 at the MCG.