This paper analyses the allocational decisions that have been made concerning Years 11 and 12 programs in Australian government school systems.

It is drawn from a wider study of how system and school decision makers attempt to meet, within a tight financial context, the increased curriculum demands of a more diverse student body.

The study, which was based on samples of schools from four Australian government school systems in 1990, was concerned with the inter-relationship of decisions taken at the system and school levels.

It was conducted in conjunction with Ross Harrold and Marian Stone from the University of New England, and much of this paper draws on their analyses.

The research was supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council.