White House Blog Post on Restraint and Seclusion

[Guest guest]

Another Giant Step Forward for America's Children

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/12/10/another-giant-step-forward-americas-ch\

ildren

Posted by Kareem Dale on December 10, 2009 at 09:39 AM EST

Nearly seven months ago, approximately 50 disability advocates,

representatives of national teacher organizations, other education

professionals and Administration officials gathered at the White House to

discuss restraint and seclusion in schools. President Obama and his

Administration are committed to ensuring that every child learns in a safe

and secure school environment. Improper use of restraint and seclusion

techniques to subdue children deemed by teachers as unruly or otherwise

disruptive disproportionately affects children with disabilities, many of

whom fall victim to instructors and care-givers who lack proper training.

The *Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act*, introduced

by House Education and Labor Committee Chairman ,

Representative Mc Rodgers, and Senator Dodd, will protect

all children from harmful and improper types of restraint and seclusion. We

applaud Senator Dodd, Chairman , and Representative Mc Rodgers

for their hard work and their commitment to protecting children.

Working in collaboration with these members of Congress, President Obama's

Administration is committed to ending harmful restraint and seclusion. On

July 31, after Congressional hearings on the subject, Education Secretary

Arne Duncan wrote to all Chief State School Officers, urging them to review

their current policies and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and

seclusion techniques in schools and, if appropriate, develop or revise them

to ensure student safety

On Tuesday, Secretary Duncan

wrote<http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/letters/20091208-SeclusionandRe\

straint-Duncan.pdf>to

Senator Dodd, Chairman and Representative Mc Rodgers,

applauding them for identifying key legislative principles and committing to

work with Congress. Secretary Duncan's recommendations align well with the

legislation they have introduced, and provide an important blueprint for the

Administration, Congress and advocates to work together to protect America's

children.

This much-needed legislation illustrates that, when we work together to find

common ground, we can overcome any hurdle. We look forward to working with

Congress, advocates, teachers, and education professionals to ensure that

all of America's children can learn in a safe, secure environment.

*Kareem Dale is an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public

Engagement and Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy*

--

Ari Ne'eman

President

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