Feb 24, 2020, WA Today: Violent Perth students expelled, sent to multi-million dollar alternative schools https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/violent-perth-students-expelled-sent-to-multi-million-dollar-alternative-schools-20200223-p543ja.html Violent and out-of-control students will continue to be removed from schools and placed in multi-million dollar alternative learning settings across Perth. Education Minister Sue Ellery this month confirmed three purpose-based centres introduced to tackle violence in schools would continue to operate beyond an initial 2019 pilot program. The $2.58 million [$1.7 US] ALS were established last year as part of the state government’s action plan to help public school principals stamp out increasing violence by giving them alternate solutions. Principals can now expel the worst and most persistently violent students from mainstream schooling and place them in the designated ALS to address behavioural issues. … In 2019, 45 students were sent to three ALS, with each facility having a maximum capacity of 10 students at any one time. … Ms Ellery did not say whether any of the centres reached capacity but affirmed “early encouraging signs” meant the ALS would continue operating until at least the end of 2020…. The State School Teachers' Union of WA president Pat Byrne said there was an obvious demand and need for ALS, with the potential for further growth in the future. “If the need increases, we would be arguing for additional resources to provide more centres,” she said. “What we don’t know at the moment is whether there is a waiting list or what its length is.”… Physically aggressive students attacking WA teachers on the rise In the 2019 school year, up until November 27, 12,740 students had been suspended from school for physical aggression and 51 excluded, not all of whom were permanently expelled. …
