Federal Investigations of School Districts’ Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion Procedures

Since 2014, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Rights Division have conducted investigations of individual school districts’ use of physical restraint and seclusion procedures. This report identifies the legal basis for these investigations, as well as common problems found across the districts as a result. It also describes common elements required in the resulting settlement agreements with school districts. Conclusions will address how school systems might evaluate and adjust practices related to restraint and seclusion based on these investigations and DOE recommendations.