In its own words, " this book implicitly challenges the view that sees schooling as only the motor for unspecified economic forces. It re-raises the real economic issue of: here are the students, now where are the worthwhile, comprehensive and challenging jobs?"

This is a work that outlines one of the only truly 'alternative' approaches to non-compulsory senior education. Being so closely involved in the STC course at both the classroom and executive level, I find it extremely difficult to give an objective review of the work. At least declaring my hand my assist the reader.

The challenges facing schools across the state, specifically my own, have been made profoundly simpler with the introduction of the STC principles to teaching and learning.Two major formative principles include:

1. The group will require the participation of teachers and students to encourage the participation of parents in the development and assessment of each school's course as a whole and of individual subjects or units.

2.The group will not use or endorse any forms of assessment which grade students against student or school against school for purpose of selection of students to courses of tertiary study or employment or for any other purpose.

This has fundamentally changed what we understand to be particpation and has completely reveresed the downward trend in year 12 participation in our community.

This is a must read for anyone interested in school and teaching reform.