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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.

On Liberty EP80 We must follow the educational science
Glenn Fahey, John SwellerMarch 2, 2022On Liberty

We welcome CIS contributor and University of NSW academic, Emeritus Professor John Sweller. Author of...

Laptop on book
For a better class of teacher, invest in smarter training
Glenn FaheyFebruary 17, 2022The Australian
It is 10 years this week since the release of David Gonski’s landmark report into...
AP32 Image critical thinking
Some Critical Thoughts about Critical and Creative Thinking
John SwellerFebruary 7, 2022AP32
Developing creative and critical thinking is a major priority of educators and policymakers. This is...
School children
School return plans amid Omicron outbreak should protect face-to-face learning
Simon Cowan, Glenn FaheyJanuary 29, 2022Canberra Times
There is a bit of extra nervous tension in households across Australia this week. School...
Teachers marching
High marks for classroom mediocrity
Glenn FaheyDecember 8, 2021Financial Review
This week’s Teachers Federation strike in NSW — despite being ruled illegal by the state’s...
On Liberty EP77 Maths wars expose the great divide in education
Glenn Fahey, Salvatore BabonesDecember 1, 2021On Liberty

Australian student achievement has declined more steeply and more consistently than almost any other country,...

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...

Education is key for Aboriginal Australia
Nigel ParburyMay 24, 2013

Three times in as many weeks the surprise of elite education for Aboriginal kids has...

My School sheds a welcome light
Jennifer Buckingham OAMMay 17, 2013The Australian

BEFORE NAPLAN and My School were introduced by the federal government, state departments of education...

Fair go fear-mongering flies in the face of facts
Benjamin HerscovitchMay 10, 2013

Instead of getting his government’s fiscal house in order, Treasurer Wayne Swan is fanning fears...

Time to make a deal
Jennifer Buckingham OAMApril 19, 2013

The COAG meeting of education ministers today is a multibillion dollar game of Deal or...

Federal micro-managers to rule the schools
Jennifer Buckingham OAMApril 16, 2013Australian Financial Review

Responses to the federal government’s school funding proposal have been less than enthusiastic. People have...

Gonski reforms at risk of failure to launch
Jennifer Buckingham OAMApril 5, 2013The Australian

The "I Give A Gonksi" campaign gives the impression that the proposed school funding reforms...

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

Donate or become a member below! Donate Today

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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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