Guidelines for the Use of Seclusion and Restraint of Students with Disabilties is in Draft Phase

In a letter dated July 31, 2009, to Chief State School Officers, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan wrote "I urge each of you to develop or review and, if appropriate, revise your State policies and guidelines to ensure that every student in every school under your jurisdiction is safe and protected from being unnecessarily or inappropriately restrained or secluded." In response to this request, a team consisting of various agency personnel throughout South Carolina was formed by the SCDE for the purpose of drafting guidelines on the use of seclusion and restraint. I am fortunate to be one of the draft reviewers and therefore received a copy of the work in progress this week with charge to respond by tomorrow. I read the proposed draft and highlighted actions our district would need to take to ensure adherence to the guidelines. All in all, I believe the team developed a thorough document defining several terms (e.g., seclusion, physical restraint, escorting, mechanical restraints). I am very pleased that the document opens with a description of School-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and how this system has the potential to reduce behavioral incidents that might escalate to Tier III. I am confident the finalized guidelines will provide a blanket of protection for students and school administrators dealing with crisis behavior.