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• Education

Quality school education is vital for individual potential and a healthy society. All children should have access to an education that is responsive to their needs as well as upholding high academic standards. CIS’s research focus is on policies that improve the quality of teaching and student outcomes.

Review needed urgently of L3 literacy program
Jennifer Buckingham OAMJune 1, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

L3 is used in hundreds of schools across NSW and is a core component of...

Unions ramp up attack on private schools for poor
Jennifer Buckingham OAMMay 25, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

In his extraordinary 2009 book The Beautiful Tree, James Tooley revealed how low-cost private schools...

NAPLAN is much more gain than pain
Blaise JosephMay 18, 2018The Australian

  More than a million Australian students sat NAPLAN tests this week, assessing their standards...

NAPLAN much more gain than pain
Blaise JosephMay 18, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

More than a million Australian students sat NAPLAN tests this week, assessing their standards in...

Why We Need NAPLAN
Blaise JosephMay 13, 2018RR36

The National Assessment Plan – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a crucial national assessment, but...

New CIS research: Why We Need NAPLAN
Blaise JosephMay 13, 2018MEDIA RELEASE

NAPLAN (commencing this year on May 15) is an essential part of Australia’s school system,...

Childcare in Australia: A new approach
Gigi FosterNovember 20, 2025RR51

Executive summary Several well-known bodies, from the Productivity Commission to the Australian Competition and Consumer...

Knowledge is power: What do teachers believe about learning?
Trisha JhaOctober 30, 2025AP92

Executive Summary This report presents findings from literature about what teachers believe about how students...

Sex and maths success: myths and interventions
David C. GearyJuly 17, 2025AP83

Executive summary Mathematical competencies at the completion of secondary school influence later educational and occupational...

Early Numbers, Big Ideas. Fostering Number Sense in Young Children
Nancy C. Jordan, Nancy DysonJuly 10, 2025AP82

Introduction Numbers are an integral part of our daily lives, both inside and outside of...

Fractions Minus the Friction. A guide to four teaching practices
Leanne R. Ketterlin-Geller, Allison McClure, Cassandra HatfieldDecember 12, 2024AP78

Introduction Understanding fractions has a significant impact on both individuals and society. Fractions are an...

The Argument For Debate: how school debating can improve academic outcomes and foster a stronger democracy
Deidre Clary, Fiona MuellerDecember 5, 2024AP77

Introduction The Education Goals for Young Australians prioritise “excellence and equity” and the formation of...

Equity and the costs of learning
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 31, 2001The Daily Telegraph

Once again the knives have come out over school funding. But what is the real...

Knowledge is a costly affair
July 3, 2001The Australian Financial Review

The Knowledge Nation Taskforce’s comprehensive agenda for upskilling Australia was widely welcomed yesterday. But the...

A Fair Go for all Schools
Jennifer Buckingham OAMJanuary 24, 2001The Herald Sun

It is possible to deceive people without telling lies. In support of their campaign against...

Pass the Bucks
January 12, 2001The Courier Mail

The idea that Australia’s universities are dumbing down is gaining currency. The latest argument is...

Homework Needed on School Funding
Jennifer Buckingham OAMOctober 13, 2000The Newcastle Herald

The fracas over federal government school funding documented by the media in the past few...

Staying in the Dark on School Performance
Alison RichOctober 5, 2000The Sydney Morning Herald

There is a movement in Australian education for increased assessment and accountability. Assessment and reporting...

Behind Every Great Teacher Is a Great System | David Didau, Jenny Donovan & Trisha Jha
Trisha Jha, David Didau, Jenny DonovanMarch 20, 2026

David Didau — education consultant, teacher trainer, and author of Making Kids Cleverer and Intelligent...

Education Reform That Works: Insights from UK, New Zealand & Australia
Glenn Fahey, Nick Gibb, Jason Clare MPDecember 8, 2025

Three leading education ministers — Sir Nick Gibb (UK), Erica Stanford (New Zealand), and Jason...

What do teachers believe about learning? | Trisha Jha
Trisha JhaNovember 6, 2025

This report presents findings from literature about what teachers believe about how students learn: the...

Restoring Excellence in Australian Education | Senator Jonathon Duniam
Glenn FaheyOctober 3, 2025

At this Centre for Independent Studies forum, Shadow Federal Minister for Education Senator Jonathon Duniam...

Evidence vs Ideology: Why the Science of Learning Matters?
Doctor Carl Hendrick, Doctor Simon Breakspear, Glenn FaheyJune 26, 2025

As Australian student outcomes decline and education inequality persists, a growing movement is challenging the...

The science of learning will set students free | Glenn Fahey
Robert Forsyth, Glenn FaheyJune 13, 2025

Robert Forsyth interviews Glenn Fahey, director of the education program at the Centre for Independent...

Submission to Senate Education and Employment References Committee
Michael Wu October 22, 2025CIS

Despite good intentions, Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care system has expanded well beyond its...

Submission to the Productivity Commission’s Interim Report on Building a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce
Trisha JhaSeptember 18, 2025

Submission at a glance 1. Achieving written curriculum quality is a necessary step for long-term...

Submission to the Independent Review of Education in Tasmania
Trisha JhaOctober 4, 2024

Introduction The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is a leading independent public policy think tank...

Submission to the Inquiry into Literacy and Numeracy in ACT Public Schools
Trisha JhaFebruary 27, 2024

This submission does not directly seek to answer the 20 questions posted in the Consultation...

Submission to the Legislative Council Inquiry into the State Education System in Victoria
Trisha JhaOctober 4, 2023

Introduction The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is a leading independent public policy think...

Submission to the NSW Curriculum Review Interim Report Consultations
Fiona MuellerDecember 1, 2019

The NSW Government commissioned a review of the state’s curriculum in September, 2018, to be...

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