The training of teachers of gifted students in universities in Australia

The training of teachers of gifted students is necessary for students to be afforded the most suitable forms of education in both mainstream and specialist classes. This paper examines the training of teachers in gifted education in Australia in light of the political structure of the country which impacts upon the options for learning for gifted students. Within the Commonwealth of Australia there are three levels of government which all have different responsibilities for the training of teachers and the education of students. The tertiary sector is governed by the Federal Government whilst the primary and secondary sectors are governed by the State/Territory Governments. This structure creates difficulties for the training of teachers of gifted students in particular that the state and territory teachers are not required to have formal qualifications in gifted education to be a teacher of gifted students despite gifted education being an educational priority. This paper examines the limited number of courses available to teachers on gifted education and the level they are taught.