The Comprehensive Public High School Historical Perspectives

This study analyzes the comprehensive public high school as both a policy ideal and a social institution by highlighting the development of high school in Australia, the UK, and the US. It focuses on such issues as: changing policy approaches to public high school, the "middle class flight" to private schools, how school systems in Australia mirror international policy changes, and the tensions between local and regional decision-making groups interested in reforming secondary high school policy.

Geoffrey Sherington is Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney.  Craig Campbell is Senior Lecturer, History of Education, University of Sydney.