'Completely rejected': Students with disabilities vastly overrepresented in suspension data

Jen Maskell's two sons had their first formal suspensions in the same week in 2019. This set off an escalation of school suspensions which had a negative impact on her family. Picture: Karleen Minney

Students with a disability are overrepresented in suspensions given out by ACT public schools as advocates warned the punitive measures were pushing students down a path of disadvantage.

New data revealed through freedom of information shows about 65 per cent of suspensions went to students with a disability, despite an average of 3.5 per cent of students being enrolled in disability programs.