In Austria, gifted education and the education of highly gifted and talented children have been receiving an increasing public awareness and social acceptance over the past decade. The article highlights the existing ideas of giftedness in Austria, and it presents several initiatives having triggered and influenced this positive development. The provision of special programs for gifted education is closely linked to the general structure of the Austrian school system. This established system and its inherent opportunities for talent support will be described. The information forms the background to understand why there is still a public controversial debate on the need of specific endeavors in gifted education.
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