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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.

What is the Science of Learning? By Trisha Jha.
Trisha JhaFebruary 21, 2024Research Collection

What is the Science of Learning? By Trisha Jha. Listen to all our research here:...

Our education system is underperfoming but there could be a chance to fix that
Glenn FaheyFebruary 19, 2024CANBERRA TIMES

Canberra’s parents — and taxpayers — must wake up to the inconvenient truth that its...

science of learning, learning, education, learning styles,
What is the Science of Learning?
Trisha JhaFebruary 15, 2024AP63

Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction Politics, philosophy and education Progressive education versus modern evidence...

Don’t blame the COVID pandemic for truancy
Glenn FaheyFebruary 8, 2024AFR

Don’t blame the COVID pandemic for truancy. Sliding attendance of Australia’s school students is a...

Education policy must mature beyond calls for more money
Glenn FaheyFebruary 3, 2024THE AUSTRALIAN

Education policy must mature from being dominated by demands for more funding and instead focus...

Maths Practices You Can Count On: Five Research-Validated Practices in Mathematics
Sarah Powell, Sarah King, Sarah BenzFebruary 1, 2024AP62

Introduction An understanding of mathematics gained during primary and secondary school is essential for...

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...

Gonksi fails a second time around
Jennifer Buckingham OAMApril 30, 2018The Australian Financial Review

The highly anticipated Gonski 2.0 report offers little useful guidance for schools and school systems,...

Cut the losses on Gonski 2.0 review and quietly back away
Jennifer Buckingham OAMApril 30, 2018The Spectator Australia

You have to feel just a little bit sorry for Simon Birmingham. The federal education...

Are non-government schools really on the way out?
Blaise JosephApril 27, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

Federal government modelling suggests demand for non-government schools is going to fall substantially in the...

Phonics test for year-one kids offers lots of benefits and no downside
Jennifer Buckingham OAMApril 22, 2018The Australian Financial Review

Many people in education circles are keen for the impending Gonski 2.0 report. But their...

NAPLAN not perfect but doesn’t deserve to die
Jennifer Buckingham OAMApril 13, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

Nary a week goes by without NAPLAN being in the news. Everyone has an opinion...

South Australia’s trial of England’s year one phonics check shows why we need it
Jennifer Buckingham OAMApril 10, 2018The Conversation

The proposal to introduce a phonics check — employed in schools in England towards the...

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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