On January 8, 2025. U.S. Ed. Sec. Miguel Cardona sent a letter to Chief State School Officers, Administrators of Lead Agencies, School District Administrators, and Early Childhood Program and School Leaders reminding them of their collective responsibility to ensure that all children are educated in learning environments that are safe, supportive, and responsive to their needs. He also reminded them that they must keep this responsibility in mind when considering the practices of restraint and seclusion in schools.
Sec. Cardona also expressed the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) continued concern that children continue to be subjected to restraint and seclusion practices even though these practices are harmful to children and despite the lack of evidence that these practices are effective strategies to respond to a child’s behavior or that these practices reduce the occurrence of behaviors that interfere with learning. Thus, he stated that, rather than relying on reactive restraint and seclusion practices, it is critical for educators to be given opportunities to learn about and implement positive, proactive practices in schools and early childhood programs and how to effectively support and respond to students’ behavioral needs.
To view the letter in its entirety on the USDE website, click here.