Just before last year ended, Senator Harkin introduced a new piece of legislation addressing the use of restraint and seclusion in public schools, the Keeping our Students Safe Act, S. 2020. CEC, along with many of our community partners and division leaders, have worked tirelessly over several years on this important issue and we applaud Senator Harkin for continuing this important conversation. CEC believes that S. 2020 is an important step forward toward our goal of providing states and districts a consistent standard to guide the use of restraint and seclusion.
This legislation contains many strong provisions which would greatly help ensure consistency across the nation and support the field in implementing positive practices. CEC is especially pleased that the bill includes a definition of positive behavior supports, continues its important focus on training and professional development, and that it continues to prohibit planning for the use of restraint and seclusion in the IEP. But for this important legislation to succeed in practice CEC believes a few areas must change.
Read CEC’s Letter on the legislation here.
It is important to ensure this issue remains at the forefront of our national discussions and S. 2020 helps keep these conversations going. CEC looks forward to continuing to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure that all educators are well prepared to meet the needs of all children and youth, including those with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.
Read CEC’s Policy on Restraint and Seclusion here.
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