Become a Member Donate Now

• 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.

Paying kids to learn?
Kerrie WrattenFebruary 22, 2019Ideas@TheCentre

Few people would disagree with the idea of investigating ways to improve student motivation. But...

Misreading the data will not help the teachers
Jennifer Buckingham OAMFebruary 9, 2019The Australian

Outdated teaching methods based on disproved theories remain widespread despite the abundance of good and...

Enquiry-based learning isn’t evidence-based
Blaise JosephFebruary 1, 2019Ideas@TheCentre

You have to wonder how many times something has to be tried before people stop...

Make universities pay for picking poorly prepared students
Steven SchwartzJanuary 24, 2019The Australian

Universities have drastically dropped their entry requirements for teaching degrees, resulting in a hit on...

Curriculum a juggling act in the classroom
Jennifer Buckingham OAMNovember 18, 2018The Herald

By far the educational issue that gets most public and political attention is funding for...

Teachers’ union stance wrong on reading
Private: Julie MavlianOctober 5, 2018Ideas@TheCentre

I have been a member of teachers’ unions since I began teaching 30 years ago....

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...
book
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...
The blame game has gone too far when governments become guardians
Caspar CondeFebruary 2, 2005The Sydney Morning Herald

Australians enjoy a quality of life unknown to earlier generations. Generally, we live longer than...

More options in full-fee places
January 31, 2005The Age

For seven years Australian universities have enrolled local full-fee under-graduates but the controversy surrounding them...

A fine idea, but it could be unfair
Peter SaundersJanuary 19, 2005The Sydney Morning Herald

The Australia Institute has proposed that speeding and parking fines should be graduated to reflect...

Debt-relief sceptics right
Wolfgang KasperJanuary 18, 2005The Australian Financial Review

The short-term response to the tsunami emergency has been terrific. If the gods designed this...

Action needed on al-Qa’ida’s hiding place
Miranda DarlingJanuary 17, 2005The Australian

The devastation in Asia caused by the tsunami has understandably overshadowed the horrors being perpetrated...

Iraq is the failure the US had to have
Owen HarriesJanuary 7, 2005The Sydney Morning Herald

As every schoolboy knows (just kidding), there is a useful term for a successful military...

No Videos Available
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...

No Podcasts Available

• Subscribe

Subscribe now and stay in the loop with our giving appeals, event alerts, newsletters and research updates.

We are always pleased to hear from you. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us here:

+61 2 9438 4377
CIS Office
cis@cis.org.au
CIS Media
kpincott@cis.org.au