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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.

Private schools aren’t only for the rich
Blaise JosephFebruary 6, 2018The Spectator

Every time data is released about enrolment numbers in public and private schools, it’s closely...

What’s happened to the University?
Frank Furedi, Marguerite Johnson, Steven SchwartzFebruary 5, 2018OP163

Trigger warnings, cultural appropriation and safe spaces. Who decided to bestow guardian status to Australian...

Teacher training – government and universities need to set tougher standards
Jennifer Buckingham OAMFebruary 4, 2018Financial Review

It’s rare to see an issue unite the Australian Education Union, the Australian Labor Party,...

The truth about private schools
Blaise JosephFebruary 2, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

A huge misconception in Australian education is that all non-government schools charge exorbitant fees —...

Time to stop fixating on Finland
Blaise Joseph, Jennifer Buckingham OAMJanuary 31, 2018SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

It may be a new year, but we’re still stuck with the old myth that...

Can do better
Jennifer Buckingham OAMJanuary 31, 2018THE SPECTATOR: FLAT WHITE

  For the last ten years or so, people have been credulously extolling the virtues...

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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