Education Secretary Issues Statement on Restraint and Seclusion
In a Dear Colleague letter issued this week, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona reminded educators of their collective responsibility to ensure that students receive an education that is “safe, supportive, and responsive to their needs.”
In the letter, he identifies the harmful impact of restraint and seclusion in schools. These practices were used on over 50,000 public school students during the 2020-2021 school year. Such practices contradict the goal of treating every child with dignity and fostering inclusive education. Educators should shift to evidence-based, proactive strategies to address behavioral needs, such as a multi-tiered system of supports and individualized interventions.
Cardona emphasized that these approaches promote inclusion, safety, and belonging while reducing reliance on exclusionary discipline methods. Cardona commended states and districts that have prohibited seclusion and limited restraint, but notes more investment is needed to equip educators with positive behavior support tools.