I have been reading about the dramatic increases in suspensions as a response to schoolyard violence and unruly behaviour. A few months ago I wrote about the 900 British students reportedly suspended per day.
Today I noticed that more than 100 students in Australia are being suspended on a daily basis:
VIOLENT schoolyard attacks have marred the start of Term 4 as figures show more than 100 suspensions were handed out every school day last year for physical misconduct.
One student was stabbed in the head and four others bashed with a baseball bat in separate schoolyard incidents this week.
A 14-year-old girl was hospitalised at Tara, west of Dalby, on Wednesday after she was stabbed in the head allegedly by another student, 14, with a steak knife during a lunchtime scuffle.
Tara Shire State College went into lockdown shortly after 1.30pm and police were called.
A 14-year-old girl has been charged and will be dealt with under the Youth Justices Act. She has also been suspended. The injured student required stitches.
The question has to be asked: Are suspensions working?
In my day the threat of a suspension was extremely effective in moderating our behaviour. But with so many seemingly disregarding the inevitable consequences of violent or unruly behaviour, I am of the opinion that suspensions are not working. It seems an opportune time to consider an alternate form of action.
What has been your experience with suspensions? Do they work in your school?
Topical Teaching 