In this article, Dean Ashenden, who is a senior honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne, questions the intellectual basis of the policies and practices which effect teachers across Australia. He examines the influence of Hattie’s work and offers this quote from Hattie: “I want broader. I want schools and systems to value music, art, history, entrepreneurship, curiosity, creativity, and much more.” Hattie has stated that quantitative studies have been privileged over qualitative and that research outcomes may not truly reflect what is happening in schools, or even what should be happening. Ashenden argues for respect for the work of teachers and an understanding of the individual complexity of the contexts in which they work. This is a current and refreshing review of recent trends in educational policy and practice, a must read for all school leaders and interested teachers.
Reference: Ashenden, D. (2025, Mar, 12). AERO: Why and how its failures fail us all.