Physical and emotional injuries and even death are the results of seclusion and restraints used in K-12 schools to handle student behavior, according to a report from the National Disability Rights Network.

The report cites dozens of cases of students suffering injury or death resulting from restraint or seclusion, but the group warns that the full impact of such practices is yet unclear.

“We feel that these numbers represent just the tip of the iceberg as there is no national reporting structure or official tracking of such incidents,” said Curt Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network.

The group is now calling on Congress to pass legislation banning the “prone restraint” and the use of seclusion.

U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, says he will hold a hearing on the issue.

“This report raises serious questions about the treatment of schoolchildren, the qualifications and training of staff, and what actions have been taken to address these unconscionable practices. No child should be at risk or in danger while at school, no matter what the circumstances,” Miller said.

Just last month an Ohio teen died after being subjected to the prone restraint (see here). In another case, a Georgia student hung himself while secluded in his school’s time-out room (see here). And, in Iowa, a family is suing their school district after their daughter wet herself because she was left in a time-out room for so long (see here).

The National Disability Rights Network’s report can be found by clicking here.

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