This report is a contribution to the NSW Education Standards Authority’s (NESA) work in assessing options for improving the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC). It notes key strengths of the HSC and provides four options for incremental improvements to the HSC.

This report argues Australia is facing a growing crisis in boys' education. The report highlights gender gaps in academic outcomes in Australian schools which demonstrate that boys are falling behind, and examines public discourse on the causes and policy responses.

This issues brief addresses commentary surrounding educational equity and highlights Australia’s good standing and progress on international equity measures. It shows Australia consistently ranks above the OECD average in both excellence and equity.

Single-sex schools are a longstanding feature of Australia’s education landscape. This paper provides analysis of enrolment trends and academic outcomes in single-sex schools. Australia has around 304 single-sex schools educating over 284,000 students.

Initial teacher education (ITE) is responsible for providing beginning teachers with the knowledge, skills, and characteristics to prepare them for the classroom. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the Australian ITE sector’s current challenges, and opportunities for reform.