As the use of physical restraint rises in many schools, questions are being raised about the loose regulations surrounding the companies that train staffers and the techniques they employ.

Typical restraint training for teachers and other school staff is conducted over a series of days, often by private providers with backgrounds in fields ranging from martial arts to psychology. Trained staff then return to their schools to teach colleagues the methods they have learned.

Last year, federal lawmakers considered a bill that would have required such training to be limited to evidence-based techniques. But the legislation was never heard by the U.S. Senate, so there is no national standard.

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As a result, the techniques used — often with students who have disabilities — vary wildly, as does the level of follow-up instruction. Advocates say this can lead to situations where staff members are unprepared and incidents are mishandled.

“Right now, there isn’t any oversight of whether the districts are using a good company or they are following up on their training,” one California special-education consultant told The (San Francisco) Bay Citizen. To read more click here.

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