Austrian gifted education reform proposal

Austria is planning to introduce a new specialized form of General Higher School (AHS) designed for gifted and high-performing students, with implementation expected to begin in autumn 2027.

Proposed by Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr, the initiative seeks to transition previous educational experiments into the regular school system. The program aims to provide targeted support through advanced curricula, accelerated learning, and the option for students to take university courses during secondary school. To ensure flexibility, these specialized classes will be hosted at existing school locations, allowing students to return to regular classes if necessary.

Admission to the program will require a selection process consisting of standardized intelligence tests, personal interviews, and group exercises to evaluate motivation and work habits. The proposal also includes coaching, mentoring, and greater flexibility regarding attendance requirements for students in the tenth grade and above to facilitate long-term projects. By 2030, the government projects the establishment of four such specialized AHS locations.