Congressman Wants Answers On School Restraint And Seclusion

Following a report exposing physical and emotional injuries — including death — resulting from seclusion and restraint tactics used in K-12 schools to handle behavior (see here), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee is asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate.

Previously Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., pledged to hold a congressional hearing looking into the impact of these disciplinary approaches. Now, in a letter to the GAO, he’s asking the agency to, “investigate the use of restraint, seclusion and harmful aversive handling of children and youth in private and public schools.”

A congressional hearing on the issue is expected in the coming months.