OCR Reviews Use of Restraint and Seclusion of Students with Disabilities

On May 24, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) announced that it resolved a compliance review of a South Carolina school district’s use of restraint and seclusion of students with disabilities. The investigation highlights OCR’s position that frequent or improper restraint and seclusion may deny students with disabilities a free, appropriate public education. As we prepare for the 2022-2023 school year, school districts should conduct a thorough review of their policies and procedures regarding the use of restraint and seclusion to ensure that they are clear, current, and compliant.