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❓ Question seeks data on disproportionate suspensions of students with disabilities in WA schools and public reporting of suspension data. The answer confirms data disaggregation and identifies that approximately one-third of suspended students have a disability, with ongoing efforts to improve safety.

AnsweredQoN 909Legislative Council

Asked

1 September 2022

Member

Hon Dr Brad Pettitt

Portfolio

Education and Training

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Does the Department of Education undertake monitoring to identify disproportionate suspensions of students with disabilities? (2) If yes to (1), how is the monitoring undertaken? (3) In Western Australian schools over the past 12 months, what percentage of: (a) the total number of students who were suspended had a disability; and (b) the total number of suspensions given to students were given to students with disabilities? (4) Will the Minister commit to reporting school suspension data publicly in line with other states, including the proportion of school suspensions administered to disabled students and other marginalised student groups?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

11 October 2022

Responded by

Minister for Education and Training

Response time

4 days

(1)-(4) The paramount consideration for schools when issuing suspensions is the safety of students and staff. The Department has disaggregated its system-level suspension data to identify the proportion of students suspended who are students with disability. Of the total number of students given a suspension, approximately one-third had a disability. The Department of Education is working with unions and staff in schools to identify ways to improve safety for staff and students.

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