This section of the Victorian government education site offers useful information for parents of gifted children, including: how to identify a gifted student, schooling options, and resources for learning and teaching.

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/programs/gifted/

The Department of Education’s Students with Disabilities Program provides support to assist government students with additional learning needs and disabilities. A handbook is available for the 2009 program.

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/healthwellbeing/wellbeing/disability/default.htm

Principals Association of Specialist Schools. There are 81 specialist public schools in Victoria, catering to over 7000 children with disabilities and special needs, 45% of the students on the special needs program. The remaining 55% attend mainstream programs in primary and secondary schools.

http://www.serct.vic.edu.au/PASSvic/index.htm

The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children conducts a “Teleschool” program for families living in remote areas, with children diagnosed with vision or hearing loss.

Link: ridbc

By Liz Riley     In this article, the Catholic Education Office Melbourne offers its perspective on special needs education, and the right of special needs children to be educated in mainstream schools, within an inclusive environment.  Three examples of schools and their special needs philosophy are cited.  Parents of special needs children may find the information here helpful in assessing the suitability of a school for their child.  ...read more »