Education secretary asks states to develop, revise restraint plans
August 5th, 2009From the Education Week’s On Special Education Blog:
Education Secretary Arne Duncan has asked state education chiefs to review their policies on restraints and seclusion of students, and develop or revise policies as necessary to assure children are safe.
Duncan’s letter follows congressional testimony and a report by the Government Accountability Office that documented hundreds of allegations of school-related death and abuse since 1990. The majority of the allegations involved students with disabilities. The GAO found no federal laws restricting the use of seclusion and restraints in public and private schools, and widely divergent laws at the state level.
Duncan said he was “deeply troubled” by the testimony. He offered Illinois’ policy as a model, saying it includes a “strong focus upon Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) as well as state regulations that limit the use of seclusion and restraint under most circumstances.”
The July 31 letter asked states to respond by August 15.
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February 25th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
My son is 27 years old and in a work program with little or no supports. Actually it is more like a glorified baby sitting service. Is this what parents want for there children? Why is there such lack of services such as behavioral supports, and speech? Isn’t my son supposed to receive what he needs to remain healthy and not hurt himself as he is now doing? What are the supports? Doesn’t medicaid medicare Waiver cover Speech and Behavioral therapy that he needs to live a good life?