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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.

The 4C’s do not exist without the 3R’s
Jennifer Buckingham OAMMarch 10, 2017Ideas@TheCentre

Almost every day, a new evangelist for so-called ’21st Century’ learning makes a heartfelt plea...

MEDIA RELEASE: Australian government urged to follow England’s lead on Phonics Screening Check
Jennifer Buckingham OAMNovember 28, 2016

Australia should adopt the UK government’s Phonics Screening Check, according to new research published by...

Why Australia must adopt the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
Jennifer Buckingham OAMNovember 24, 2016The Australian

  A simple five-minute process could detect at an early stage all those of Australia’s...

Direct Instruction works
Jennifer Buckingham OAMNovember 4, 2016Ideas@TheCentre

Education is high stakes. It’s not good enough to throw ideas about teaching methods at...

FIVE from FIVE helps parents get children ready to read
Jennifer Buckingham OAMSeptember 23, 2016Ideas@TheCentre

One in five Australian children begin school with poor language skills. In disadvantaged areas, it’s...

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...

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...
Speaking with spirits: Papua New Guinea’s logging free-for-all
Helen HughesApril 26, 2006The Canberra Times

In May 2005 Papua New Guinea refused a $23 million World Bank loan designed to...

Skills better investment for indigenous
Kirsten StorryApril 25, 2006The Courier Mail

In remote indigenous communities, there is little local economic development or mainstream employment. Those employment...

Treasurer has us on longer leash
Peter SaundersApril 25, 2006The Australian

Tax freedom day this year is April 25. This means it is a holiday for...

Showcasing Unis when price is right
April 24, 2006The Age

Many critics of universities complain that commerce is put ahead of education. To them, generalist...

This mission had moral hazard written all over it
Sue WindybankApril 20, 2006The Australian

Rioting and looting have returned to Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, nearly three years...

Hard won is easily lost
April PalmerleeApril 18, 2006The Courier Mail

From Beirut to Baghdad , the streets are overflowing with calls for freedom and liberty,...

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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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