Douglas Osler: Shows what can be done

Scotland's senior chief education inspector, Douglas Osler said: "This shows it is possible to find a range of ways of keeping young people who have social, emotional or behavioural problems within the classroom, or within the school or with some kind of alternative provision outside of the mainstream school.

"But keeping them all within the process of education which is what is so important."

Report author Dr Bill Maxwell said: "One of the keys to dealing with pupils who are showing persistent difficulties is to have a flexible response. Perhaps that is what was lacking in many schools in the past. It was very black or white - you either had the pupil in class or completely out of the school."

The number of children being excluded from Scotland's schools for disruptive behaviour increased by about 4% in 1999-2000 to 38,769.

Reduce exclusions

The study says a multi-disciplinary approach is needed.

The Scottish Executive has made a further �23m available to all councils to introduce ways to reduce exclusions.

The report will now be considered by the executive's discipline taskforce.

Meanwhile, the Education Minister Jack McConnell has said there must be no "witchhunt" of teachers as a result of the new disciplinary code has come into force.

Modernise schools

Twelve new principles have been agreed which set minimum standards for teachers and allows poor performers to be sacked.

The new framework is part of the McCrone agreement to modernise schools.

It replaces an agreement which was 85- years-old .

The Education Minister said that it is a national system which lays out clearly the minimum standard which will be acceptable.