Action | Promulgating new regulation governing seclusion & restraint in public elementary & secondary schools |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 4/19/2019 |
All children have the right to a safe, caring, fostering educational environment. It is their right and our societal duty. With a developmentally challenged grandchild, Gigi, we, as a family and community have witnessed much in and out of her classroom. I witnessed and am aware of the use of seclusion in the classroom. In her second grade class she was alone in a safe, open, secluded area while her teacher attended to a child in a wheelchair. It spoke of the ratio of teacher/aide to child. In addition to the solitary nature of what seclusion does in an even benign situation. Being new to the special needs environment I quickly saw the diversity and extreme spectrum needs which are vast and varied. Guidelines and safe practices are in place to help all navigate this challenging educational environment. Unfortunately, they are not always followed for this child and manny others as I learned in several school sponsored Town Hall meetings. In legislating seclusion changes we are all to benefit. Especially this special population and their families who face great challenges daily.