❓ This WA parliamentary question concerns student suspensions in the Southwest Education Region. It examines suspension rates, reasons, lengths, and monitoring processes, comparing data from 2011 and 2012.
AnsweredQoN 6095Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Given that 2012 data can only be provided for Terms 1 to 3 at this time, data for suspensions assigned to Terms 1 to 3 of 2011 are provided for comparison purposes. (4) The most commonly reported reasons for suspension in the Southwest Education Region in 2012 to date include: · 'violation of school code of conduct, behaviour management plan, classroom or school rules'; · 'physical assault or intimidation of other students'; and · 'verbal abuse or harassment of staff'. These were also the most commonly reported reasons for suspensions in 2011. (5) The average length of suspension is: · 2.1 days in 2011 (full year) and · 2.2 days in 2012 to 9 October. (6) The longest period of suspension imposed was: · 13 days* in 2011 (full year) and · 10 days in 2012 to 9 October. *The period of this student's suspension was extended by the Deputy Director General, Schools due to an exclusion process. (7) 452 students were suspended more than once in 2011 (full year) and 435 students in 2012 to 9 October. (8) Suspensions are monitored at the Southwest Education Regional Office who then identify increases in suspensions at individual schools. The Regional Office respond to increases in the suspension rate by providing support and advice to the schools concerned, to help modify the way they deal with behaviour management. Additionally, Staff at Southwest Education Region schools explore all options when students are facing suspension. This may include involvement of the school psychologist, social workers and Behaviour Centre staff. Schools will engage the assistance of other agencies such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and Youth Focus to achieve the best outcomes for students. Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on http://www.rtlib.com
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 November 2012
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
42 days
(1) - (3) The premise of this question is inaccurate. There has been a 12% increase in the number of suspensions in the Southwest Education Region in 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, as shown by the table below:
2011
2011
Terms 1-3
2012
Terms 1-3
Change
Number of suspensions
2,435
1,892
2,110
12%
Source
: Evaluation and Accountability, Department of Education.
Given that 2012 data can only be provided for Terms 1 to 3 at this time, data for suspensions assigned to Terms 1 to 3 of 2011 are provided for comparison purposes.
(4) The most commonly reported reasons for suspension in the Southwest Education Region in 2012 to date include:
· 'violation of school code of conduct, behaviour management plan, classroom or school rules';
· 'physical assault or intimidation of other students'; and
· 'verbal abuse or harassment of staff'.
These were also the most commonly reported reasons for suspensions in 2011.
(5) The average length of suspension is:
· 2.1 days in 2011 (full year) and
· 2.2 days in 2012 to 9 October.
(6) The longest period of suspension imposed was:
· 13 days* in 2011 (full year) and
· 10 days in 2012 to 9 October.
*The period of this student's suspension was extended by the Deputy Director General, Schools due to an exclusion process.
(7) 452 students were suspended more than once in 2011 (full year) and 435 students in 2012 to 9 October.
(8) Suspensions are monitored at the Southwest Education Regional Office who then identify increases in suspensions at individual schools. The Regional Office respond to increases in the suspension rate by providing support and advice to the schools concerned, to help modify the way they deal with behaviour management.
Additionally, Staff at Southwest Education Region schools explore all options when students are facing suspension. This may include involvement of the school psychologist, social workers and Behaviour Centre staff. Schools will engage the assistance of other agencies such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and Youth Focus to achieve the best outcomes for students.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
2011
2011
Terms 1-3
2012
Terms 1-3
Change
Number of suspensions
2,435
1,892
2,110
12%
Source
: Evaluation and Accountability, Department of Education.
Given that 2012 data can only be provided for Terms 1 to 3 at this time, data for suspensions assigned to Terms 1 to 3 of 2011 are provided for comparison purposes.
(4) The most commonly reported reasons for suspension in the Southwest Education Region in 2012 to date include:
· 'violation of school code of conduct, behaviour management plan, classroom or school rules';
· 'physical assault or intimidation of other students'; and
· 'verbal abuse or harassment of staff'.
These were also the most commonly reported reasons for suspensions in 2011.
(5) The average length of suspension is:
· 2.1 days in 2011 (full year) and
· 2.2 days in 2012 to 9 October.
(6) The longest period of suspension imposed was:
· 13 days* in 2011 (full year) and
· 10 days in 2012 to 9 October.
*The period of this student's suspension was extended by the Deputy Director General, Schools due to an exclusion process.
(7) 452 students were suspended more than once in 2011 (full year) and 435 students in 2012 to 9 October.
(8) Suspensions are monitored at the Southwest Education Regional Office who then identify increases in suspensions at individual schools. The Regional Office respond to increases in the suspension rate by providing support and advice to the schools concerned, to help modify the way they deal with behaviour management.
Additionally, Staff at Southwest Education Region schools explore all options when students are facing suspension. This may include involvement of the school psychologist, social workers and Behaviour Centre staff. Schools will engage the assistance of other agencies such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and Youth Focus to achieve the best outcomes for students.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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