This review is a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of education in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government high schools, addressing basic questions and making recommendations concerning goals, school structure, provision of resources, curriculum, and educational outcomes. It is divided into 13 chapters covering the following topics: (1) the beginnings (historical background); (2) school autonomy and the Authority; (3) parents, power, and schools in the ACT; (4) educational standards in times of change; (5) purpose and expectations in high schools in the ACT; (6) the high schools in action; (7) student assessment and reporting in high school; (8) students and the high schools; (9) teachers in the ACT high schools; (10) making decisions on high school curriculum; (11) implications for the system; (12) resources and financial responsibility; (13) conclusions. Three appendixes provide a bibliography, submissions received, and a description of the research methodology. The text includes 22 tables and 6 charts. (TE)