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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.

An Evening with Tom Bennett
Tom Bennett, Glenn FaheyMarch 26, 2024
The Centre for Independent Studies presents Tom Bennett live in Sydney this May for an...
Naplan
The unions are at war with NAPLAN
Edmund StephenMarch 22, 2024SPECTATOR FLAT WHITE

Like clockwork, NAPLAN’s most vocal critics have again shown they miss the point of the...

Reimagining Teacher Professionalism. Why standards must be part of ITE reform
Rebecca BirchMarch 21, 2024AP64

1. Executive Summary The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Standards) do not adequately outline what...

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...

Science of learning
Education policymakers need to get clear on the science of learning
Trisha JhaFebruary 22, 2024EducationHQ

Teachers are constantly told to use evidence-based practices, and no teacher would purposely use ineffective...

Implementing the Science of Learning: teacher experiences
Trisha JhaFebruary 22, 2024RR47

Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction Background and policy context A pathway for advancing the...

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...

Do private education dollars count?
Blaise JosephSeptember 15, 2017Ideas@TheCentre

Despite new international education data showing Australia spends more on education compared to the OECD...

Universities are under utilised and under performing
Steven SchwartzAugust 25, 2017Australian Financial Review

Universities are vital social institutions. They prepare the next generation of leaders, and their research...

Don’t make maths and science more appealing, just teach them better
Blaise JosephAugust 18, 2017Ideas@TheCentre

A recent campaign aims to make maths and science more ‘appealing’ to girls. We are...

Phonics provides best chance of successful start at school
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 6, 2017The West Australian

Australia’s results in international literacy tests have been declining over a long period of time,...

Smart money should go to teach the teachers
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 2, 2017The Australian

Analysing the latest NAPLAN test can be an exercise in frustration. No jurisdiction improved its...

Our students and teachers deserve better
Jennifer Buckingham OAMJuly 28, 2017Ideas@TheCentre

I had the privilege of travelling to England to speak with some of the world’s...

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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