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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.

Building world-class schools in Australia
Katharine Birbalsingh, Alan Tudge, Glenn Fahey, Manisha GazulaNovember 7, 2022
CIS Education program director Glenn Fahey is joined for a discussion on improving schools in...
Boy in class
Improving literacy levels for boys must be a priority
Glenn FaheyNovember 2, 2022DAILY TELEGRAPH

Too many Australian boys leave school without the reading and writing skills needed for success...

It’s the gender literacy gap that warrants the greatest attention
Glenn FaheyOctober 31, 2022AFR

The persistent underperformance of boys in our school system is the social justice issue that...

katharine birbalsingh event at CIS on schools
The Michaela Way
Katharine BirbalsinghOctober 27, 2022

It’s no secret that Australian schools’ performance has been in decline for many years. That’s...

Teach in classroom
Discipline not a dirty word in a child’s education
Katharine BirbalsinghOctober 17, 2022THE AUSTRALIAN

It should go without saying that for students to have the best chance of learning,...

classroom
Discipline is the missing part of the school jigsaw
Glenn FaheyOctober 5, 2022DAILY TELEGRAPH

There’s no denying that Australian schools have a behaviour problem, but it could be turned...

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...

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...

Phonics and Literacy
Mark ScottApril 20, 2017

England’s schools have undergone substantial changes in the last decade, including: introducing systematic phonics teaching...

Facing facts in education
Nick Gibb, Rob Stokes, Mark ScottApril 11, 2017

England’s schools have undergone substantial changes in the last decade, including: introducing systematic phonics teaching...

Direct and Explicit Teaching Methods
November 3, 2016
Five From Five launch – Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham
April 18, 2016
Five From Five launch – Dr Kerry Hempenstall
April 18, 2016
Five From Five launch – NSW Minister of Education Adrian Piccoli
April 14, 2016
Submission to the Indigenous Sub-committee of the Standing Committee for the Review of Government Services Provision. 2011
Sara HudsonJanuary 31, 2011

Submission to the Indigenous Sub-committee of the Steering Committee for the Review of Government Services...

Public Education in New South Wales: Submission to the ‘Vinson’ Inquiry
Ross HaroldNovember 28, 2001IA20

The most effective way of improving school performance without increasing recurrent funding is to enable...

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