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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.

University trade-offs for middle classes
Phil RennieJuly 25, 2007The Otago Daily Times

It’s now accepted wisdom that you need a university degree to have a successful and...

Broader scope in NT for schools
Kirsten StorryJuly 24, 2007The Canberra Times

One of the measures Prime Minister John Howard announced last month was that the Government...

Is university overrated?
Phil RennieJuly 9, 2007The Salient

It’s now accepted wisdom that you need a degree to have a successful and rewarding...

In Indigenous communities it is all about the teachers
July 2, 2007Online Opinion

If you have flown with Qantas recently, you may have seen the documentary Bush School...

Teachers key to remote schools
Kirsten StorryJune 18, 2007The Australian

In Aurukun on Queensland's Cape York, the school leadership refuses to accept that the complexity...

Dumbing Down: Outcomes-based and politically correct—the impact of the Culture Wars on our schools by Kevin Donnelly
Jennifer Buckingham OAMJune 11, 2007Policy

Dumbing Down: Outcomes-based and politically correct—the impact of the Culture Wars on our schools by...

The Missing Links: Class Size, Discipline, Inclusion and Teacher Quality
Jennifer Buckingham OAMFebruary 19, 2003IA29

The Vinson Report on Public Education in NSW contains a wealth of information, and makes...

The Unchained University
Andrew NortonNovember 19, 2002PM56

Australia’s universities are not preparing students adequately for their futures. Report author and higher education...

Getting it Right Some of the Time: An Appraisal of the Report on the Inquiry into the Education of Boys
Jennifer Buckingham OAMNovember 14, 2002IA27

The statistical evidence showing that boys have lower literacy levels and lower average performance than...

Families Freedom and Education: Why School Choice Makes Sense
Jennifer Buckingham OAMJune 24, 2002PM52

Parents have been demonstrating their increasing lack of faith in the public education system for...

The Importance of Teacher Quality
Ken RoweFebruary 28, 2002IA22

The quality of teaching is the single most important influence on students’ academic performance. When...

The Social Foundations of a Free Society
Peter SaundersFebruary 12, 2002OP79

A look at five main areas where current trends may be eroding the free society...

We’ve spent the money, now what about the results?
Blaise JosephFebruary 23, 2026CANBERRA TIMES
We have a great window of opportunity now to finally follow through on education reforms...
Education has become a system designed to issue credentials rather than create knowledge
Steven SchwartzFebruary 10, 2026THE AUSTRALIAN
When a society forgets the difference between learning and performance, between a mind and a...
Science of learning
How revamping education will boost the Australian economy
Trisha JhaJanuary 24, 2026CANBERRA TIMES
If Australia wants productivity growth, it needs to start in the classroom....
Australia’s education system is failing students despite $100bn spending
Fiona MuellerDecember 27, 2025THE AUSTRALIAN
Taxpayers know all too well that massive increases in education funding (approaching $100 billion a...
School child reading book
Turning up a first step to success
Trisha JhaDecember 4, 2025DAILY TELEGRAPH
The best that can be said about the latest national attendance data is that things...
Give teachers clarity: Maths curriculum should build the staircase, not set the high jump
Kelly NorrisOctober 28, 2025EDUCATIONHQ

The national review of the F–2 maths curriculum is a welcome chance to put the...

We need a new education remedy: Charter Schools
August 31, 2015
Dr Jennifer Buckingham on ‘School Funding on a Budget’
April 29, 2014
Paul Oslington on Religion and Universities
March 12, 2014
Why Jaydon Can’t Read: Q&A – Forum 3/3
January 20, 2014
Why Jaydon Can’t Read: Justine Ferrari & Tom Alegounarias – Forum 2/3
January 20, 2014
Why Jaydon Can’t Read: Fixing Literacy – Forum 1/3
January 20, 2014
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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