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• Teaching

Our research into teaching focuses on the quality of the teacher workforce, teacher training and ways to improve student outcomes through better teaching methods.

Phonics science vs the ‘feels’
Jennifer Buckingham OAMAugust 3, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

The phonics debate co-hosted by the Centre for Independent Studies and the Australian College of...

Synthetic phonics and learning to read
Jennifer Buckingham OAM, Rob Stokes, Anne Castles, Troy Verey, Robyn Ewing, Kathy Rushton, Mark Diamond, Natasha RobinsonJuly 31, 2018

A key point of contention in the ‘reading wars’ is the best way to teach...

Simple solution to STEM teacher shortage
Blaise JosephJuly 20, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

Faced with the shortage of qualified teachers for science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) subjects,...

The fight for phonics in early years reading
Jennifer Buckingham OAMJuly 10, 2018ResearchED

There is extensive research on how children learn to read and how best to teach...

What the Gonski 2 Review got wrong
Jennifer Buckingham OAM, Blaise JosephJune 17, 2018PP6

The Gonski 2 Review into Australian schools failed to fulfill its terms of reference to...

Teaching quality is the biggest challenge facing the bush
Blaise JosephJune 4, 2018The Australian Financial Review

It will surprise few people that students from rural areas tend to perform worse on...

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...

Using Curriculum-Based Measurement for Primary School Maths Screening
Erica S. Lembke, Emily L. Singell, Gabriella Lyth Donofrio, Megyn MartinAugust 15, 2024AP75
Universal screening is an essential component of a Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS) for maths and...
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Learning Lessons. The future of small-group tutoring
Trisha JhaJuly 25, 2024AP73
Student data from national and international testing shows a large minority of students are not...
Little is fair in regulating taxi fares and licences
Krystian SeibertJune 30, 2006The Australian Financial Review

Through all the market reforms of the 1990s, examples of taxi market deregulation in Australia...

Steep learning curve for all
June 30, 2006The Australian

Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Mal Brough has placed responsibility for school attendance squarely with...

The Rise of the Opinionators
Peter SaundersJune 17, 2006The Australian

It used to be the case that, if you knew what somebody did for a...

Growth in Labor support: it’s academic
Peter SaundersJune 17, 2006The Australian

It used to be the case that, if you knew what somebody did for a...

Polies teach us to pick our own pockets
Peter SaundersJune 2, 2006The Age

Victorian families, rejoice! As a result of John Brumby’s latest budget, all parents in the...

For decision on childcare mum’s (or dad’s) the word
Peter SaundersJune 1, 2006The Canberra Times

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that one-third of children in formal child care...

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Submission to Draft 2025-26 GenCost
February 2, 2026

The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) appreciates the opportunity to provide a submission to the...

Submission to Senate Inquiry into Illegal Tobacco Crisis in Australia
Michael StutchburyJanuary 15, 2026
The federal government should pause increases in tobacco excise to weaken the profit of the...
Submission to DCCEEW’s Solar Sharer Offer Consultation Paper 2025-26 
November 24, 2025

What evidence should inform the SSO window (timing and duration), including factors such as wholesale...

CIS Submission to IDSP Directions Paper
November 13, 2025

Question 4: Does the IASR provide the right baseline inputs for the proposed strategic planning...

Submission to AEMC’s Treatment of policies and costs in the ISP Consultation Paper 
November 6, 2025

Question 1: What are your views on AEMO’s current approach to incorporating jurisdictional targets and...

Submission to Senate Education and Employment References Committee
Michael Wu October 22, 2025CIS

Despite good intentions, Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care system has expanded well beyond its...

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