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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.

Australia needs a Poet Laureate
Steven SchwartzFebruary 28, 2018Quadrant

  Oxford-educated and possessed of considerable charm, Michael Massey Robinson was a rogue and a...

Minding the gap
Jeremy SammutFebruary 24, 2018THE SPECTATOR

Once again the start of the federal parliamentary year has been marked by what has...

‘Growth mindset’ just another platitude
Blaise JosephFebruary 23, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

We’re constantly told schools should go beyond literacy and numeracy, and instead focus on ‘21st...

When Will They Ever Learn?
Steven SchwartzFebruary 15, 2018THE SPECTATOR

One January morning in 1800, a mysterious being emerged from the woods near Aveyron in...

Even a magic nanny would struggle with childcare policy
Eugenie JosephFebruary 12, 2018THE SPECTATOR: FLAT WHITE

The threat by childcare union, United Voice, to strike next month over low wages reflects...

The War Against NAPLAN
Steven SchwartzFebruary 6, 2018Daily Telegraph

The Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) has declared war on the National Assessment Program known as...

A Private Education for All
Mark HarrisionFebruary 1, 1996OP56

Though everyone recognises the importance of education to the nation’s future, many lack confidence in...

The Education Monopoly Problem
Edwin G. WestDecember 12, 1989OP26

Professor Edwin West has for many years been a leading authority on, and advocate of,...

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...

On Liberty EP25 Education reforms to boost productivity
Glenn Fahey, Peter AchterstraatSeptember 22, 2020On Liberty

Hosted by CIS Research Fellow, Glenn Fahey. In this webinar, Glenn spoke with Peter Achterstraat...

On Liberty EP19 Should we increase university places?
Salvatore Babones, Andrew NortonAugust 13, 2020On Liberty

Salvatore Babones spoke with Andrew Norton, co-founder of CIS Liberty & Society and Professor of...

Do schools need a transformation?
Jordan Baker, Pasi Sahlberg, Greg AshmanAugust 13, 2020

A discussion between leading experts on the future of Australian education. Pasi Sahlberg and Greg...

On Liberty EP12 Five from Five Update
Salvatore Babones, Jennifer Buckingham OAMJune 18, 2020On Liberty

We were pleased to have Dr Jennifer Buckingham to On Liberty. Jennifer is director of...

On Liberty EP7 Learning from home isn’t fair or sustainable
Salvatore Babones, Blaise JosephMay 14, 2020On Liberty

Salvatore Babones is joined by Blaise Joseph, Research Fellow in education and a former secondary...

Parental School Choice in Australia
Fiona Mueller, Michael Nuttall, Dallas McInerney, Dianne Giblin, Glenn FaheyNovember 26, 2019

Led by Fiona Mueller, the CIS education program focuses on School Choice and School Funding...

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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