A Report on New Zealand Student Engagement 2000

Publication Details

This report provides statistics and analysis on stand-downs and suspensions for the 2000 school year.

Author(s): National Operations Division, Ministry of Education

Date Published: April 2001

Executive Summary

This is the second report on the system of suspensions and stand-downs in New Zealand schools that was implemented in July 1999.

Suspensions and stand-downs are part of a broad range of ways in which student behaviour is managed - such as classroom management by teachers, detentions, and demerit systems. Stand-down and suspension statistics therefore tell only a small part of the story. In this report we present some examples of the wider picture through case studies of schools managing student behaviour in innovative ways. We explain the national role of the Ministry of Education and of the Youth Law Project, an advocacy service for young people.

While suspensions are often described as the last resort for a school, about 62% of those students suspended return to their original school, and a further 23% continue their learning at another school. This shows how strong the incentive is for schools, parents and students to continue the learning process.

The Ministry of Education will continue to work with schools and communities to find ways to encourage all students in their learning, and to reduce the need for suspensions.