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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.

Budget 2017: more unfunded promises and hypocrisy on school spending
Blaise JosephMay 10, 2017The Spectator - Flat White

One of the delicious ironies of politics is the tendency for one side to admonish...

CIS wrap: Budget 2017
Simon Cowan, Robert Carling, Michael Potter, Blaise Joseph, Jeremy Sammut, Sara Hudson, Charles JacobsMay 10, 2017

Budget 2017 entrenches big government Simon Cowan In this budget the government has surrendered to...

Budget 2017: More unfunded school funding promises
Blaise JosephMay 9, 2017

The budget has confirmed most of the federal government’s promised additional spending on schools is...

Gonski 2.0 or Conski 2.0?
Blaise JosephMay 5, 2017The Spectator - Flat White

In a stunning political move, the government seized the Gonski high-ground this week by announcing...

The fantasy of ‘Gonski funding’ set to continue
Blaise JosephMay 5, 2017Ideas@TheCentre

As Yogi Berra said: “It’s déjà vu all over again.” While we’re still recovering from...

Smart parents favour quality education over fancy buildings
Jennifer Buckingham OAMMay 5, 2017Ideas@TheCentre

With student numbers swelling in city public schools — partly because of population growth and...

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...

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 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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