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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.

The Productivity Commission’s schools fail
Jennifer Buckingham OAMSeptember 6, 2016Spectator Flat White

The Productivity Commission’s draft report into the evidence base for education confirms there has been...

Funding fails to pay off in student results
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 5, 2016Ideas@TheCentre

While there has been some improvement in mean scores in Years 3 and 5 since...

Poor teachers beget poor students
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 4, 2016Australian Financial Review

The NAPLAN results released this week tell an all-too-familiar story: in most states there has...

NAPLAN results show core learning skills are in retreat
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 3, 2016The Australian

The latest NAPLAN results are a wake-up call for the whole country. While there has...

Education does not lead to violence
Jennifer Buckingham OAMJuly 15, 2016Ideas@TheCentre

A lot of people who have never been to Aurukun have opinions about its problems;...

Productivity Commission Inquiry Into Introducing Competition and Informed User Choice into Human Services: Submission in response to issues paper
Trisha JhaJuly 1, 2016CIS Submission

The Human Services Inquiry is ‘examining policy options in the human services sector that incorporate...

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...

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 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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