Report
Setting the preschool foundation for success in mathematics
This paper presents the results of a four-year longitudinal study – including two years of preschool (age 4 years), kindergarten, and first grade – designed to identify the early quantitative competencies that predict readiness to learn mathematics at school entry.
Policy report
A sea of red: tracking Australia’s debt iceberg
The backdrop to the forthcoming federal and state budgets for 2022/23 is that Australia’s public debt has increased sharply during the pandemic since 2019 — and is projected to increase further. This report provides an update of measures of Australia’s public debt based on mid-year budget reviews released by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments...
Report
Teacher workforce: fiction vs fact
Australia’s education outcomes have deteriorated, despite increased spending on teachers and policies to increase the quantity and quality of teachers. This paper challenges several persistent assumptions about the quantity and quality of the teacher workforce and identifies areas of concern supported by data and evidence.
Report
The return of inflation: what it means for Australia
Inflation is rising around the world, the sting in the tail of the pandemic economic stimulus packages unleashed by governments in 2020. This analysis paper examines the implications for prices and wages growth in Australia.
Report
Some critical thoughts about critical and creative thinking
Developing creative and critical thinking is a major priority of educators and policy-makers. This paper provides an overview of human cognitive architecture as relevant to how students learn and demonstrate creativity and critical thinking. In doing so, it highlights that general creativity and critical thinking is not something that can be taught.