Research
Learning First research on crucial topics and how the best-performing systems in the world have driven success in learning and equity.
AI use in schools: Taking action now
New data collected by Learning First shows that AI is routinely being used in schools now by teachers, leaders, and their students.
Staying the Course on What Matters Most
This report examines Ireland's education system, exploring the factors that have driven its consistently strong performance on international assessments over more than two decades.
Benchmarking science curriculum
This report sets out the results of detailed analysis and benchmarking of the Australian science curriculum with curriculums in comparable and high-performing systems around the world.
Practice guides for implementing strategic plans
Learning First and the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) produced a series of practice guides to help school leaders develop and apply effective strategic plans.
The problem with “finding the main idea”
This report examines why literacy strategies that focus on teaching discrete reading skills - such as "finding the main idea" - often fail to improve student achievement. Drawing on examples from the United States, this report argues that reading comprehension depends on content knowledge, and calls for assessment approaches that reflect this.
What we teach matters. How quality curriculum improves student outcomes
This report, What we teach matters, defines quality curriculum and sets out the contemporary evidence on its impact on student learning, with a focus on research from the United States.

