In March 2011, while a student at Southeastern Cooperative Education Program (SECEP) in Chesapeake, VA, my son, Carson, was shoved into a seclusion room.  No one has ever explained what actually happened, but the result was two broken bones in his left hand, a broken bone in his right foot and an open-wound fracture on his hand that required emergency surgery.  This occured while, at least, 5 staff were present.  Child Protective Services (CPS) sent Ms. Brown to investigate and she ultimately cleared all individuals.  In fact, her report did not document the broken bones, the surgery or the fact that our son was in a separate day school specifically for students with behavior challenges.  The Commonwealth of Virginia can do better than this!  Research proves that there is absolutely no educational value to seclusion or restraint.  In fact, studies have shown that behavior gets worse when these strategies are used frequently.  The Commission on Youth is presenting recommendations to the General Assembly concerning Restraint and Seclusion in schools.  http://vcoy.virginia.gov/Study%20Recommendations%20for%20September.pdf

Read about our son's experience while a student in a Virginia public school at:

http://www.propublica.org/article/schools-restraints-seclusions​

http://www.npr.org/2014/06/19/322915388/national-data-confirms-cases-of-restraint-and-seclusion-in-public-schools

In 2011 SECEP Chesapeake had 149 enrolled students (100% with disabilities),

There were 177 instances of restraint used during the year and 559 incidents of seclusion.  Obviously, the staff would use seclusion before attempting restraint.