Are rates of school suspension higher in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods? An Australian study

Abstract

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Health promotion with adolescents spans many contexts including schools. Income and its distribution, education and social exclusion are key social determinants of health. Exclusionary school policies such as school suspension contribute to exclusion, increase the likelihood of school dropout (reducing educational and subsequent employment opportunities), and negatively impact on student wellbeing. Often excluded students are from socio-economically disadvantaged areas. This paper examines associations between area level socio-economic status (SES) and school suspension in Australian students. METHODS: Students (8,028) in years 6 (n = 4393) and 8 (n = 3635) completed a compr..