GAO Reports Hundreds of Children Restrained and Secluded in Schools

The GAO reports today that a study, done in response to the Committee on Education and Labor, found hundreds of cases of alleged abuse and death where children were restrained or secluded.

The alleged cases in the study occurred in the last two decades. One case example reported was that of a 7 year old purportedly dying after being held face down for hours by school staff.

Ten cases in which there was a criminal conviction, a finding of civil or administrative liability or a large financial settlement were examined in detail. These cases all involved children with disabilities who were restrained and secluded. Often in the cases, the GAO reports, the children were not aggressive and their parents did not give consent. An example in these cases involved 5 victims, aged 6 and 7, who were gagged and duct-taped for misbehaving by a volunteer teacher’s aide. The aide was on probation for burglary and cocaine possession.

The GAO reports not a single website, federal agency or other entity that collects information on the use of restraints and seclusions or the extent of their alleged abuse could be found. The GAO also reported no federal laws could be found restricting the use of seclusion and restraints in public and private schools. 

The full report of hundreds of children restrained and secluded in schools can be read on the GAO website.