Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint Praises the Department’s Effort
A group of parents, advocates, and educators called the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR) applauded the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for issuing a press release last month pledging to take active measures to prevent the illegal and discriminatory use of restraint and seclusion in Maryland schools. Furthermore, the advocacy group is pleased that the State Superintendent of Schools, Mohammed Choudhury, has directed a comprehensive review of Maryland’s regulations, policies, and procedures on restraint and seclusion and moves to eliminate practice altogether. Superintendent Choudhury went on to state, “In all cases, restraint and seclusion should be a last resort, employed only in emergency circumstances. Given the potentially devastating physical and emotional impact of restraint and seclusion on students and staff, as well the disproportionate use on students with disabilities and students of color, MSDE will work with our local school systems to eliminate the illegal use of these practices and increase system capacity to provide effective, positive means of behavior management.” MSDE’s actions appear to be in response to a letter authored by AASR to Superintendent Choudhury regarding a recent settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Frederick County Public School District. The settlement was in response to a DOJ investigation which discovered that the Frederick County Public School District had unnecessarily and repeatedly restrained and secluded students as young as five years of age in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under the settlement, the school district will end its use of seclusion, revamp its restraint practices, and train staff on appropriate use of behavioral interventions for students with disabilities.
