Are rates of school suspension higher in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods? An Australian study.
OBJECTIVE
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 comprehensive social development survey administered in schools in 30 socio-economically stratified communities in 2006.


RESULTS
Associations between area level SES and school suspension were found. Relative to students in the lowest SES quartile communities, students in mid level and high SES had lower suspension rates. These effects remained after controlling for antisocial behaviour, gender, age and the established risk factors of poor family management, interaction with antisocial peers and academic failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Students living in low SES areas are exposed to higher rates of school suspension, at similar levels of adjustment problems. Assisting schools, particularly those with disadvantaged students, to foster school engagement is essential for schools committed to health promotion.
Hemphill
Sheryl A
SA
Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatrics at The University of Melbourne, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, & School of Psychology, Deakin University, Victoria. sheryl.hemphill@mcri.edu.au
Toumbourou
John W
JW
Smith
Rachel
R
Kendall
Garth E
GE
Rowland
Bosco
B
Freiberg
Kate
K
Williams
Joanne W
JW
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D012931:Social Environment; D013332:Student Dropouts; D013334:Students; D035862:Vulnerable Populations