A documented history of the political and social scene in which Australian schools operated from 1962-1984 is presented. The scope includes the goals and philosophy of schooling, the types of "religious" education, the philosophical bases for right of choice without economic discrimination, equity in funding, the social and economic changes occurring in Australian society, the response of educational systems to an era involving new social structures and problems, the impact of developing technologies, the denial of employment to many, and the offer of new opportunities for leisure to all. The views of political parties and interest groups are presented in detail; the book also offers a critique of material written during the period under review. There is an analysis of Ministerial guidelines and Commonwealth Schools Commission responses. (BZ)