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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.

Improve learning outcomes – take NAPLAN seriously
Glenn FaheyAugust 15, 2024THE AUSTRALIAN

The latest NAPLAN data set highlights the urgent need for the education system to set...

Using Curriculum-Based Measurement for Primary School Maths Screening
Erica S. Lembke, Emily L. Singell, Gabriella Lyth Donofrio, Megyn MartinAugust 15, 2024AP75
Universal screening is an essential component of a Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS) for maths and...
NSW curriculum reform a success, but will other ministers follow?
Glenn FaheyJuly 30, 2024THE AUSTRALIAN

The NSW government has thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the nation on...

book
Learning Lessons. The future of small-group tutoring
Trisha JhaJuly 25, 2024AP73
Student data from national and international testing shows a large minority of students are not...
maths
The Science of Maths and How to Apply It
Siobhan MerloJuly 11, 2024AP71

Introduction Australian students’ results on international tests of mathematics (TIMMS) and numeracy (PISA) lag behind...

Déjà vu in Australian higher education
Steven SchwartzJuly 4, 2024SPECTATOR FLAT WHITE

History repeats itself, often with a sense of irony only those with long memories can...

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...

Another year, another failure to close the gaps
Charles JacobsJanuary 5, 2018THE SPECTATOR - FLAT WHITE

A new year typically brings optimism, hope and a sense of progression. However, for the...

International study shows many Australian children are still struggling with reading
Jennifer Buckingham OAMDecember 7, 2017The Conversation

Australia still has a ‘long tail’ of underachievement in reading The Progress in International Reading...

Phonics check is crucial
Jennifer Buckingham OAMDecember 1, 2017IDEAS@THECENTRE

  A key policy proposal of the CIS’s FIVEfromFIVE literacy project is a Year 1...

PISA education ranking challenged by questions over student motivation
Jennifer Buckingham OAMNovember 20, 2017AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

  There is an annual furore when Australia continues to show a disturbing decline in...

Education in a changing world
Blaise JosephNovember 17, 2017Ideas@TheCentre

No one denies technology is changing the world. NSW government’s ‘Education for a Changing World...

The writing is on the wall for … writing itself
Steven SchwartzNovember 17, 2017AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, was a thoroughly loathsome man. He conquered the Jews, ransacked their...

Stronger Maths Starts With Early Screening
Kelly Norris, Randall EvansFebruary 7, 2025

In Australia, a significant number of students struggle with mathematics, with many falling behind early...

What is the Science of Learning? | Trisha Jha
Trisha Jha, Randall EvansJanuary 23, 2025

If we want to children to learn, we have to teach them in a way...

The Secret to Fixing Education Standards | Nick Gibb
Nick Gibb, Glenn FaheyNovember 21, 2024

Nick Gibb, the UK’s long-serving Schools Minister, shares insights into the transformative education reforms in...

Support CIS Research in 2024
Tom SwitzerJune 12, 2024

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How to fix bad behaviour in schools | Tom Bennett
Glenn Fahey, Professor Tom BennettMay 28, 2024

Australian classrooms are some of the worst behaved in the world. The girls are stressed...

How to reward teachers for better educational outcomes
Edmund StephenApril 16, 2024

Unfortunately, we cannot simply throw money at all of our problems, as we have learned...

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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