ok who voted for a law that requires more of our behavior specialists and other staff more time- taken away from the kids-
Article in Orlando Sentinel
End restraint, seclusion of disabled kids, say advocates (and bills to be considered by state lawmakers) Disabled students, Florida Legislature, Leslie Postal — posted by lesliepostal on March, 1 2010 12:25 PM
One of the hot education issues this coming legislative session ( the Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday) will be whether to impose rules about if and when disabled students can be physically restrained or put in seclusion.
A Senate bill filed recently (by Rep. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando) would prohibit restraining disabled students except in emergencies and prohibit putting them in seclusion.
Parents and disabled rights advocates — ones who have been pushing for the past several years for Florida to do more to curtail the practice of physically restraining kids with disabilities — are eager to get this bill passed.
They say too many students are hurt because staff too often resort to physical restraint with disabled students’ sometimes challenging behavior.
But school officials are worried the bills are too far reaching and don’t recognize the difficult job faced by teachers working with sometimes aggressive, out-of-control children.
The issue is the subject of a recent federal lawsuit in which a family is suing Princeton House Charter School (which specializes in educating children with autism) for alleged abuse of their son. You can find the Orlando Sentinel story on that case here.
Florida currently has no statewide rules or laws about restraint and seclusion, though the State Board of Education is still developing such a rule (that has been going on for a few years).
The issue of “restraint and seclusion” has become a national one. This past summer, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan asked state education leaders to develop, review or revise their policies so that to help ensure that “no child is subjected to the abusive or potentially deadly use of seclusion or restraint in a school.”
The U.S. DOE also pulled together a summary of current state rules on restraint and seclusion.
there is a law that has been passed in which staff have to fill out a pleothara of paperwork- trust me I know I receive it- why because my child is one who needs secured seclusion or restraint- I live it daily-
How many of you can say you have been punched or scratched by a child- I know my son has done it - today in fact- he has also try to bite teachers and behavioral specialists - punch them as well- because he gets aggressive and has to be secured this what works for him- if you do not agree with me come handle my son for a week- it will change your mind-
Staff is required to fill out an incident report within 24 hours- well in the 4 years I have been at Marcus's school I always get one plus a phone call or email-
Now on top of this they have to fill out a printed form within 3 days of incident and I get it in the mail- do we really need all this-
I understand there may be issues with forced restraint etc- and parents not being informed- well how involved are the parents in their child's education and behavioral issues-
I am a single mom- by choice- you know I adopted my son- I am up in his business a lot- I inform the school of any changes and they contact me with any issues- I can contact his teachers and behavioral specialist in an instant if needed- do not blame the teachers for restraining an out of control child they are protecting other students and the students themself-
Sit in a classroom of behavioral challenged children for a week - ok 1 day- you will get an idea of what these amazing educators do in their lives
excessive restraint - nope I do not think so- have you ever been punched or scratched - or threatened by a behavioral challenged child- do not knock the seclusion or restraint- just make sure you are informed and see if the teachers are trained- GET INVOLVED
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