DOJ: 'Shocking overuse' of Restraint, Seclusion in Missouri district

February 24, 2026. The U.S. Department of Justice found that the Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD), Missouri’s largest special education provider, routinely overused restraint and seclusion against students with disabilities, often for non-dangerous behaviors rather than emergencies. Investigators documented children being secluded for hours for minor incidents such as knocking over coffee, drawing on furniture, or “being disrespectful,” and found the district averaged 11 seclusions per day during the investigation period.

The department outlined corrective actions, including ending seclusion practices and limiting restraint to true emergencies, while warning that litigation could follow if the district fails to cooperate.

https://www.k12dive.com/news/shocking-overuse-restraint-and-seclusion-missouri-justice-department/812999/