State law defines restraint as a restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of students to freely move their torso, arms, legs or head; and seclusion as the involuntary confinement of students apart from other students in a room or area that they are physically prevented from leaving. It s meant to be used as a last resort, and to manage a crisis rather than as a disciplinary measure, said Barb Van Haren, assistant state superintendent for the Division for Learning Supports at DPI. The (state law) actually prohibits the use in general, and making sure that the only time it is used is when the behavior is a clear, present and imminent risk to the physical safety of students the students (being restrained or secluded) themselves, other students, or other staff.
Elementary students and students with disabilities restrained and secluded the most. //end headline wrapper ?>School classroom. Image by Wokandapix on Pixabay
More than half of Wisconsin schools restrained or isolated students to control their behavior during the last school year, according to data released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) this week.
The data, which was collected because of changes to the state law on restraint and seclusion, also shows that elementary school students and students with disabilities were more likely to be restrained or secluded. The 30 schools that reported the most seclusion incidents were all elementary schools.