Bill would limit 'seclusion, restraint' in schools

[alp227]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) —A Senate committee report released Wednesday raises concerns over whether parents are informed when their children are strapped down, physically restrained or placed in seclusion in school to punish or control them.

The review by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee was based on several cases in which the practice known as "seclusion and restraint" was used.

"When parents are told or discover their children have been subjected to these practices, it often explains why they have seen changes in their child's temperament, behavior or learning," the report said.

It found that 18 states require parents to be notified about the use of selection and restraints. It said 19 states have laws that provide "meaningful" protections against these practices for all children and 32 do for children with disabilities.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bill-would-limit-seclusion-restraint-schools

[ancianita]

1. Any state board of ed worth its salt has a strict policy of contacting parents for each and every

disciplinary action by school officials. If teachers have to call parents over every cut or every few tardies, every teacher and disciplinary officer must certainly contact parents over seclusion and restraint -- which are also variously called "indoor detention" or "in-house suspension."

Failure to contact parents is an ethical violation which, in many states, is grounds for immediate dismissal.