Schools Fail To Curtail Restraint, Seclusion Of Students With Disabilities

 New federal data shows that educators are continuing to rely on restraint and seclusion to address behavior issues among students with disabilities in the nation's schools. Read More >

Feds Release New Stats On Restraint And Seclusion In Schools

New data on nearly every public school in the nation shows that students with disabilities continue to be disciplined and experience restraint and seclusion at far higher rates than others. Read More >

Report Finds More States Limiting Restraint, Seclusion

Though federal efforts to restrict the use of restraint and seclusion in schools have stagnated, an analysis finds a growing number of states have implemented laws to curtail the practices.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/03/31/report-states-restraint/20173/

Feds: Many States do Not Regulate Seclusion, Restraints

February 25th, 2010 From AP/Los Angeles Times:

A report from the U.S. Department of Education this weeks shows that 19 states do not in any way regulate their schools’ use of seclusion & restraints on misbehaving students. And even though 31 states do have some type of policy, the report found, many are weak & do not clearly spell out proper disciplinary procedures for teachers to follow. At least 20 deaths and many injuries were attributed to the use of seclusion & restraint.

Legislation on these practices is now working its way through congress. I also suspect that these practices are used in other countries, but have not seen any studies on their use in other countries.

OSEP National Paren Center Conference Materials

PowerPoint presentations & other materials from conference presentations made at "High Expectations, Endless Possibilities," the 2009 OSEP National Parent Center Conference are available online at The Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers web site. A number of conference sessions focused on issues of importance to transition-age youth & their families including the recent reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunities Act & higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities; rehabilitation services transition resources & opportunities; foster care youth & education; seclusion & restraint; parent leadership strategies; & strategies which promote parent-professional partnerships. View at: http://www.taalliance.org/conferences/2009/agenda.asp

Restraint & Seclusion

After I posted on this topic, one person commented & many people have viewed that item. Now the U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) has been asked to do a report on restraint & seclusion in schools. The GAO is looking for documented cases -- i.e. where there was a Due Process or some other type of ruling. If you have gotten any rulings on the restraint or seclusion of your child in school, send a brief summary of the case & your contact information to: Christine A. Hodakievic, Senior Special Agent US Government Accountability Office HodakievicC@gao.gov