Investigation into the Decision Making Process of Boards of Trustees Relating to the Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion of Students in New Zealand Schools

This study investigated the decision making processes used by boards of trustees in schools across a range of deciles in a region of New Zealand. The research is framed by two objectives: to gain a broader insight and understanding of the processes used by boards of trustees when making decisions in order to inform a more robust governance system for schools that better responds to the development needs of school board members and educational needs of students; and to explore the ways i.e. skills, knowledge and experience used, in which decisions are made by principals and boards of trustees to stand-down, suspend, exclude and expel students in low/high decile schooling contexts in New Zealand. The inquiry is positioned within a critical educational paradigm, employs a mixed method approach incorporating a case study and survey, and uses a thematic analysis approach to identify themes. The research questions that guide this study are: what factors are the enablers or barriers that influence the decision making process of discipline committees?; how does the current support offered to boards of trustees empower them to make qualified decisions about continuing suspensions or excluding students or are there gaps in the support offered? And; what impact, if any, does the socio-economic area of a school have on the degree of knowledge and capability applied by its trustees when deciding to suspend or exclude/expel students? Data suggest school boards that have followed a sound process incorporating principles of natural justice and that have used quality documentation positively influence the outcome of a discipline committee meeting. The gaps in the current support offered to boards could be addressed by key stakeholders like the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand School Trustees Association committing resources to professional development for board of trustee members. It is often boards of low decile schools that lack confidence in their capability when making decisions about continuing suspensions, excluding and expelling students however, they also believe they are the right people to make that decision.