by Common Ground | Sep 27, 2024 | Features
The use of seclusion and restraint in schools has become a critical topic of discussion, especially concerning students with disabilities. While these methods are sometimes presented as necessary interventions to manage challenging behaviors, they raise significant...
by Common Ground | Sep 27, 2024 | Parents
BEFORE IT HAPPENS: Parents can take proactive steps to help prevent the use of restraint or seclusion on their child in schools. Here are some effective strategies: Educate Yourself and Your Child – Learn about your child’s specific disabilities, triggers, and...
by Common Ground | Sep 27, 2024 | Capitols, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
While restraint continues to occur in New Jersey schools, the state has made progress in addressing the issue of seclusion and restraint. In 2020, the state enacted a law requiring the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to collect data on incidents of...
by Common Ground | Apr 4, 2024 | Courts
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating an Essex County school district to determine whether they discriminated on the basis of race and disability when placing African American students into a self-contained therapeutic...
by Common Ground | Jun 7, 2023 | Capitols
Congressional Democrats recently reintroduced legislation, the Keeping All Students Safe Act, that would block schools from secluding students in locked rooms or using certain types of physical restraints. Supporters cite investigations revealing that schools restrain...
by Common Ground | Sep 6, 2018 | Capitols
The New Jersey Department of Education has issued a Guidance Document on the issue of restraint and seclusion in school settings. In January, former Governor Christie signed into law a bill establishing certain requirements for the use of restraint and seclusion with...
by Common Ground | Apr 4, 2018 | Teachers
By Michael Somers III “The safest restraint is the one that never happens.” My first encounter with physical restraint was witnessing one that never should have happened. I was a psychology undergrad at a state university in my junior year and looking for a job. I was...
by Common Ground | Jan 22, 2018 | Capitols
On his final days in office, NJ Governor Chris Christie signed into law a measure that establishes requirements for use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities in special education. The bipartisan bill, which was passed unanimously in both houses of...
by Common Ground | Jul 29, 2016 | Capitols
A bill making its way through the New Jersey Legislature would establish requirements for the use of restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities. This spring, the bill (Senate Bill 1163) cleared the New Jersey Senate and has been referred to the Assembly...
by Common Ground | Apr 15, 2016 | Courts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit has ruled that a teacher’s behavior management efforts did not violate her students’ constitutional rights. The case involves an Ohio special education teacher whose educational and disciplinary methods for her...
.