How policies of school exclusion frame practice: a comparative analysis of Australian state education policies

Neil Tippett; Anna Sullivan; Jamie Manolev; Bruce Johnson; Barry Down

doi:10.1007/s13384-025-00863-z

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How policies of school exclusion frame practice: a comparative analysis of Australian state education policies

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

How policies of school exclusion frame practice: a comparative analysis of Australian state education policies

Neil Tippett, Anna Sullivan, Jamie Manolev, Bruce Johnson and Barry Down

Australian educational researcher

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-025-00863-z

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Abstract

school exclusions

school suspensions

school discipline

Policy Study

This article reports on a comparative policy analysis which examined education policy guiding the use of exclusionary discipline practices across four Australian states (Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland). Exclusionary practices, such as suspensions and exclusions, are commonly used to respond to problematic student behaviour, yet their effectiveness as a behaviour management strategy remains unsupported by research. Through a comparative analysis of current policy in four Australian states, we find commonalities and differences in both the purpose and practice of exclusions, with their use warranted for disruptive and disobedient behaviours, as well as those considered abusive or violent. With little consideration given to the conditions that contribute towards student behaviour, the policies frame individual students as the problem, largely ignoring the powerful influence on student behaviour of complex home lives, poverty, culture, poor pedagogy, irrelevant curricula and repressive discipline regimes in compromising student-teacher relationships. In prioritising the needs of the school over the individual, exclusionary policies perpetuate the disengagement and isolation of children and young people who struggle to adapt to the rules and regulations within the school environment, exacerbating the disadvantage already experienced by vulnerable groups of students.

Details

Title: How policies of school exclusion frame practice: a comparative analysis of Australian state education policies
Authors/Creators: Neil Tippett (Author) - University of South Australia
Anna Sullivan (Author) - University of South Australia
Jamie Manolev (Author) - University of South Australia
Bruce Johnson (Author) - University of South Australia
Barry Down (Author) - Murdoch University, School of Education
Publication Details: Australian educational researcher
Publisher: Springer Nature
Number of pages: 19
Grants: DP210100116, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Identifiers: 991005808149907891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Education
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.136 Autism & Development Disorders; 1.136.1070 School Psychology
Web Of Science research areas: Education & Educational Research
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general