Whether or not they are effective depends on their aim. If they are to provide the teachers and other pupils a respite from the miscreants’ activities, then they probably work. However, if they are to serve as a punishment for the offender then they certainly do not. After all, just what “punishment” do they provide for a child who misbehaves at school and probably does not want to be there anyway? A few days off? The child will certainly have some of that. A few days indoors on the X-Box or, if the weather is nice, roaming around the local shopping centre. Luvly Jubbly! Apparently two thirds of those excluded had been excluded before. Well, there’s a surprise!
They are probably over used. But, of course, as the Geezer rightly points out, far from being the first or last resort they are more or less the only resort. Teachers have few if any other sanctions to impose on unruly children.
The answer is to exclude these precious mites from mainstream school and take them to another place of education where they will be contained (by force if necessary) for the duration of the school day. The regime there will be unpleasant enough to ensure the little darlings do not want to repeat the experience.
Yes, China Doll, many of these unfortunates have big issues and problems, most of which are brought on by their parents. But there are other children to consider here and only when the miscreants and their parents realise that will some semblance of order be restored in schools.
Yes, jake, I have visited schools. I visit about twenty or thirty a year (about 50:50 State: Private) speaking to pupils about some of the work that I do. Strangely, in the private schools where parents pay additional fees behaviour is usually impeccable. In many of the State schools, behaviour and manners are so bad I would not leave my dog there unattended.