A Right to Learn – Keep Disabled Kids in Class

PeakCare Queensland, as part of a coalition of community organisations, is calling on the Queensland Government to take action against unfair suspensions and expulsions in Queensland state schools, particularly against students with disability.

We are asking YOU to take the stand with us, by signing the pledge of support.

Despite only making up 17% of the state school student population, students with disability received between 46%-48% of all short-term suspensions between 2016 and 2020. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with disability face five times the rate of suspensions, and students with disabilities who live in out of home care are six times more at risk of educational exclusion.

The Right to Learn campaign is publicly calling on the Queensland Government to:

• Commit to halving the number of suspensions of student with disabilities within five years
• Establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into the overuse of school suspensions and exclusions in Queensland State Schools
• Invest in evidence-based alternatives
• Introduce inclusion scorecards for every Queensland State School
• Establish an independent board to oversee all reforms to reduce suspensions and exclusions and provide greater transparency

Inclusion benefits all students by creating schools that reflect and help equip all young people with the skills they need to navigate the real world we live in, as well as allowing communities to benefit from the skills of students with disability.