Post by pavel on Mar 20, 2016 2:39:36 GMT -6
CLINTON, Miss. — The Mississippi Board of Education released a revised policy Thursday that for the first time regulates when public school students statewide can be physically restrained or placed in private spaces because of behavior problems.
The board approved the policy Thursday, and the public can comment for the next 30 days. The board could vote as early as April to enact the policy. Mississippi is one of five states without a policy or law to govern the practices.
The restraint and seclusion rule has been a focus of a major lobbying effort since the state unveiled its first draft last April. People who wanted more safeguards warned that the original rule didn't do enough to curb abuses against children. Several praised the changes, saying state Superintendent Carey Wright had heard their concerns.
"They took a lot of our input, so we're pleased," said Mandy Rogers of Parents United Together, which advocates for students receiving special education services.
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/03/18/mississippi-student-restraint-seclusion/81958578/
The board approved the policy Thursday, and the public can comment for the next 30 days. The board could vote as early as April to enact the policy. Mississippi is one of five states without a policy or law to govern the practices.
The restraint and seclusion rule has been a focus of a major lobbying effort since the state unveiled its first draft last April. People who wanted more safeguards warned that the original rule didn't do enough to curb abuses against children. Several praised the changes, saying state Superintendent Carey Wright had heard their concerns.
"They took a lot of our input, so we're pleased," said Mandy Rogers of Parents United Together, which advocates for students receiving special education services.
Read more: www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/03/18/mississippi-student-restraint-seclusion/81958578/