In Fairfax County, Virginia, public schools will stop using seclusion rooms by Fall 2022.
Fairfax County Virginia is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 180,000 K-12 students. The settlement includes an agreement to stop using seclusion rooms in nearly all of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) by January 1, 2022, and in ALL public schools by Fall 2022. FCPS will stop using all physical restraints, except in emergency situations where safety is at risk; will not allow restraint or seclusion to be written into a child with a disabilities Individualized Education Program - and will provide in-depth consulting and training to all teachers and staff.
“We are encouraged by the steps FCPS has taken to end seclusion, sharply curtail the use of restraint, and create a positive learning environment where children with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect," stated the plaintiffs. "The purpose of the lawsuit was to highlight these concerns and we are pleased that FCPS will seek to lead the nation on restraint and seclusion practices that respect the rights of students and more appropriately and productively address and respond to disability-related behaviors... We encourage other school districts around the country to take note of what FCPS is doing to end restraint and seclusion and foster a positive learning experience for all students.”
Read the full press release here.
Photo Credit: fcps.edu
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