This document consists of two critical papers on schooling in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), followed by reports on specific subject areas. The first paper, "If Wishes Were Horses: The Parent Role in a Participative System of Schooling," by C. Blakers, is a comprehensive examination of concepts, relationships, and issues concerning parents as an integral part of the school system. Chapters are as follows: (1) an independent education authority for the ACT; (2) the family and the school; (3) concepts of collaboration; (4) participative decision-making; (5) the participative system; (6) the neighborhood school; and (7) the role of parent organizations. The second essay, "What Is the Ideal Years 7-10 Curriculum in the ACT?," by C. W. Collins, is a brief opinion paper on junior secondary curriculum reform in public schools. After noting the crisis of purpose in current educational practice, the author reassesses basic assumptions in curriculum planning, based on a review of public opinion research, historical perspectives, and parent perspectives. He recommends a new approach based on an understanding of what is powerful and what is trivial in knowledge. The subsequent "Reports of the Interstate Subject Consultants" consist of reviews and recommendations for each subject area of the ACT curriculum: art, English, history, home economics, industrial arts, languages, mathematics and computing, music, physical education, science and agriculture, and social science. (TE)