THE ACT Government will begin community consultation on a review of the ACT’s policy for gifted and talented students. 

Minister for Education and Training Joy Burch said the review will “incorporate the development of consistent advice to schools”  when identifying and supporting gifted and talented students in ACT schools.

“We want to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of ACT gifted and talented public school students into the future,” Ms Burch said.

“Parent representatives, students, teachers and the Canberra community will be consulted to ensure their views are considered as part of this review to ensure the policy continues to meet the needs of gifted and talented students in our Government schools.”

In ACT public schools, the principal is responsible for determining how the needs of the gifted and talented students are met in their school.

The policy review will begin with the formation of a working group consisting of key parent and teacher stakeholder representatives, who will be involved in developing a draft policy. A six week community consultation will be undertaken from October 14 to November 25. The policy review will be finalised in early 2014.

Opportunities for community involvement will include stakeholder forums and an online survey hosted on the ACT Government’s Time to Talk website, www.timetotalk.act.gov.au