In April, Education Minister Joy Burch commissioned University of Canberra Emeritus Professor Tony Shaddock to lead the three-person panel considering how schools deal with children with challenging behaviour, from violence to classroom disruption.

The report had been expected by early next month, but on Tuesday Professor Shaddock said the panel had received approval from Ms Burch for extra time to complete its work.

It will now present its findings to the government by early November.

Professor Shaddock would not say if the panel, which also includes paediatrician Sue Packer and ACT Children and Young People Commissioner Alasdair Roy, had access to a report into the cage controversy which was released this month by Ms Burch and Education Director-General Diane Joseph.

The initial report took more than 160 days to be completed, drawing criticism for Ms Burch and the Education Directorate.

"I won't comment there," Professor Shaddock said.

"We are certainly taking into account some of the features of that incident, obviously, but ours is a far more forward looking report. It looks back to some extent, but we're really looking forward to what can and should be done in the future."

Ms Burch is currently in India as part of a delegation to promote Canberra's vocational education offerings and investment in the ACT.

Professor Shaddock said the panel's terms of reference had included provisions for an extension if required. He said the result would be a helpful report and no further extension would be sought.

"We would have liked to have finished on October 1 but once you get into these tasks you realise how big they actually are," he said.

"We worked hard towards October 1 then decided we shouldn't rush this last period of time at all.

"We've had lots of submissions - that's part of the issue. There's been so much public interest in it, and submissions, it has given us a wealth of data that in order to do it justice, you've got to take time with it."

The report will help identify areas for improvement in the way government and non-government schools support students with complex needs and challenging behaviour, including from disability and behaviour problems and as the result of behaviour triggered by trauma, abuse, neglect and other issues.

"There are no quick fixes or one-off solutions but there are many ways that schools can provide a more satisfactory school experience for students and teachers," Professor Shaddock said.

The review was sparked by revelations in April that a Canberra primary school had built a two-by-two-metres cage in a classroom to contain a 10-year-old boy with autism.

The principal of the school lost her job after an inquiry completed this month found she was the sole instigator of the cage. Bureaucrats within the ACT Education Directorate also face sanctions after failing to act on the first advice about the cage on March 17.

The cage was not removed for 10 days and cost more than $5000 to be built. Releasing the report, Ms Burch said she retained confidence in the ACT Education Directorate and Ms Joseph, despite the controversy and the long delays.

An earlier version of this article said Education Minister Joy Burch announced the panel's formation in May. Ms Burch made the announcement in April.