Inquiry into suspension, exclusion and expulsion processes in SA government schools

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Consultation has concluded

Consultation Process


Now Closed

This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 28 February 2020 to 27 March 2020. Below is a record of the engagement.


You are invited to share your views and experiences with the Inquiry into suspension, exclusion and expulsion processes in SA government schools

The Inquiry will investigate if the Department for Education is complying with international conventions, legislative requirements, and government and department policies and procedures, in its use of suspensions, exclusions and expulsions.

We want to hear views and experiences from:

  • Current and recent past students of SA government schools who have experienced take-homes,

Consultation Process


Now Closed

This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 28 February 2020 to 27 March 2020. Below is a record of the engagement.


You are invited to share your views and experiences with the Inquiry into suspension, exclusion and expulsion processes in SA government schools

The Inquiry will investigate if the Department for Education is complying with international conventions, legislative requirements, and government and department policies and procedures, in its use of suspensions, exclusions and expulsions.

We want to hear views and experiences from:

  • Current and recent past students of SA government schools who have experienced take-homes, suspensions, exclusions or expulsion.
  • Parents/carers of these students.
  • Principals, teachers and other school staff.
  • Child advocates and advocacy groups.
  • Parent and professional associations.
  • Representatives from government and non-government agencies.
  • Interested members of the public.

We would like to know more about:

  • Your views about and experiences of take-homes, suspension, exclusion and expulsion.
  • Your experiences with official complaints and appeals processes.
  • Your experiences with alternative education settings (Flexible learning options, i-CAN) or homeschooling.
  • What is working well.
  • Opportunities for improvement.

The Terms of Reference, established in 2019, will guide the inquiry process which will be conducted by The Centre for Inclusive Education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). You can read more about the inquiry team in the Background page.

Get involved

You can find out more about the work we are doing, share your stories with us and have your say by:

We will maintain strict confidentiality for all contributions. Pseudonyms will be used to de­-identify schools and individuals. Please note that confidential submissions may still be subject to Freedom of Information laws.

How can your input influence the decision?

Your feedback will help to shape recommendations about systemic arrangements and processes that would benefit our schools and teachers, families and students.

What are the next steps?

We will provide a report with recommendations to the Minister for Education in late 2020.

Contact details

For any enquiries please email Mr Tony Mcarthy - tony.mccarthy@qut.edu.au

Closing date: 5 pm, Friday 27 March 2020



Background


Now Closed

This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 28 February 2020 to 27 March 2020. Find out more about the consultation process. Below is a record of the engagement.


In 2019, Terms of Reference were established to guide an independent Inquiry into whether the South Australian Department for Education is complying with international conventions, legislative requirements, and governmental and departmental policies and procedures in its use of suspensions, exclusions and expulsions.

We have been consulting with key stakeholders, including young people, on their views and experiences on suspensions, exclusions and expulsions processes. We also want to hear from you.

Who is doing this work?

A team of researchers, led by Professor Linda Graham, from The Centre for Inclusive Education in the Faculty of Education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has been appointed to conduct the Inquiry.

The SEE Inquiry team includes:

Professor Linda Graham (BA, M.Ed, PhD) - Team Leader

Associate Professor Shiralee Poed (PhD)

Mr Tony McCarthy (LLB, LLM)

Consultation has concluded

  • SEE Terms of Reference

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    Now Closed

    This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 28 February 2020 to 27 March 2020. Below is a record of the engagement.


    The Terms of Reference informing the suspension, exclusion and expulsion (SEE) Inquiry are broad and examine whether:

    • relevant parties are notified a decision has been taken to suspend, exclude or expel a student
    • a conference is conducted with the affected student and other required participants
    • the suspended or excluded student is provided with other educational and/or development opportunities to support the behavioural and learning goals.
    • the department is providing a fair and effective appeals process
    • accurate and transparent records are kept of the number of children suspended, excluded, or expelled from school; the nature of and reason for their suspension, exclusion, or expulsion; and their modified or other enrolment or different options (including hours of contact, curriculum offerings etc.)

    The SEE Inquiry will also examine:

    • the use of suspensions for attracting funding and other supports for students.
    • the prevalence and use of formal and informal suspensions, exclusions and expulsions.
    • alignment of policy and practice with evidence-based best practice.
    • the adequacy of current complaint management arrangements in respect of students who are formally or informally suspended, excluded or expelled including:
      • whether complaints are being managed appropriately within schools and within the department,
      • whether the current arrangements with the South Australian Ombudsman are satisfactory
      • whether the jurisdiction and powers of the Ombudsman should be expanded
      • whether the Ombudsman should be able to make policy recommendations
      • whether there should be a specific education ombudsman, and if so, what their role could be.
    • the effectiveness of behaviour support policies and student support services. The review must make specific reference to the following:
      • whether vulnerable or at-risk students are over-represented in suspension, exclusion and expulsion numbers and whether the department is effectively addressing any such issues.
      • whether the data collected by the department regarding suspensions, exclusions and expulsions is sufficient to inform departmental policy-making and programs.
      • whether the department is monitoring and preventing instances of suspensions, exclusions and expulsions which occur outside the formal processes.

    The SEE Inquiry will also consider the following additional related issue:

    • the number of children of compulsory school age who have been disengaged from education, including through modified or other enrolment or different options, including home schooling. This should specifically consider the use of ‘take homes’, part-time programs, exemptions, home-schooling and Open Access.

    The Inquiry report will include recommendations about systemic arrangements and processes that would be of benefit to our schools and teachers, families and students, for consideration by the South Australian government.