In an examination of the impact of education policy on Australia's diverse student population, this book asks if increasing the years of compulsory schooling can make the positive social impact its proponents claim. The authors' analysis reveals a policy disjuncture wrought by competing agendas of increased school leaving age and school choice.

List of illustrations Acknowledgements List of abbreviations 1. Introduction 2. Mapping the field 3. Everything's an alternative 4. You go here, you go there, where do you end up? 5. The pressure is too much 6. I just want to teach my stuff 7. Schools and Scales of Opportunities 8. Conclusion Bibliography Index