The following is a list of things parents/advocates have been told at IEP meetings (some of which were "caught on tape"). We're not sure where this list came from (we found it posted on a Yahoo list serve, but with no link to the original source), but want to thank whomever put this all together:
1. In my IEP meeting, the learning consultant actually told me that my son couldn't attend a specific out of district placement because the school bus driver didn't like to drive on the particular highway on which it was located....Time and time again OSEP has issued policy guidance and hearing officers have ruled that "placement decisions must be made on an individual basis... placement decisions may not be based on category of disability, the configuration of the delivery system, the availability of educational or related services, availability of space, or administrative convenience." Bus Drivers' Preferences, while not specifically mentioned, just doesn't seem to fit into the criteria for placement decisions. I'm beginning to believe, judging from the many outrageous statements I receive, that the IDEA they follow isn't the same one as what I have access to.
2. A parent brought me the IEP the school district was proposing for her child. The proposed IEP had ONE goal. Child will learn how to keyboard. This is because of messy handwriting. The parents want pragmatic language skills, test taking skills and writing skills taught. The mom wrote down the response, she was so flabbergasted. It was, "we don't have to teach test taking skills. The new law says we only have to accommodate them." The parents had the presence of mind to ask for that "law" in writing and to table the meeting until they got the progress reports on the current IEP.
3. At our IEP meeting this week, the LEA arrived halfway through the meeting, left twice to take phone calls, and took a call on his walkie talkie asking whether a student could bring their pet poodle to school!
4. While working to ensure that the audio portion of videos shown in her deaf son's classroom were provided in a format her child could have access to, the teacher involved used the excuse, "I have 30 kids in a classroom, it is hard to make adaptations." Give me a break! I doubt OSEP, OCR, any hearing officer, or any court in the country would accept that as an excuse. Nowhere in the IDEA or ADA do I see class size as an excuse for not providing needed services. For further discussion on the requirements for effective communication, please see chapter 7 of : Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Self-Evaluation Guide for Public Elementary and Secondary Schools Office for Civil Rights Department of Education United States of America
5. When asking our local school how they would handle our son's education...he is deaf, and was transferring out of a deaf school into a public school, they told me...We don't know of any interpreters so he will have to "wing it" in his classes. And we are still fighting them today. How about we put this person in a classroom being taught in a language he didn't understand and then tell them to just "wing it"?It never ceases to amaze me that just because someone knows one language, they think everybody else does.
6. Parents of child in my child's special ed room requested I attend their son's IEP meeting yesterday--which I did. The special ed classroom has a button making business and as of late have been making buttons that say "Proud to be an American" and selling them and supposedly proceeds are to go to aid NY victims. They also make all sports buttons, etc. Father during the meeting brought up concern about special ed students spending too much time making buttons (this is not an all school project) and that it was taking time away from son's learning. Various local organizations have donated money to defray cost. Special ed teachers reply was that their button business is used to gain extra money for field trips, computer printers, or needs in classroom. Am I crazy or is this a no, no? I am curious how SD can justify button business when it clearly has gone beyond educational/vocational training and becoming
an all day business to keep up with orders. Further, am I crazy or isn't that what state and federal funds are for--to provide the funding for special education to meet the children's needs. Since when are the kids supposed to fund educational needs? Sort of takes the F out of FAPE. It appears to take out the APE too. What's left???? Teacher doesn't have to spend any time planning either.
7. My son is nine years old and deaf and in the 4th grade. He is still doing math problems like 4 -1 = 3 and reading things like "See, the balloon is blue." Their excuse is that well he will always be behind the normal children and that he'll never read as well as the normal child (Do they think he's an alien from space?). I'm thinking..."He is deaf, but he still had a brain the last time I checked!" At home
I am trying desperately to get him worked up to his grade level. And I always tell him that he can do anything. He replies, "I know." Why must educators just take it upon themselves to say a child will never be able to do a certain thing? Why do they think they have the right? -A frustrated mother
8. Once at a 504 meeting that was being implemented before my son got his IEP. The school psychologist and I were going over the accommodations/modifications my son would need for his APD. When I asked for the school to reduce the amount of extraneous noise, provide copied of lecture notes and many more. I was told by the school psych now lets not go overboard here many of these things could apply to his disability. I was like DUH then why not provide them!
9. During the course of one IEP meeting, to describe a dyslexic child and explain why the school did not need to provide services: "Why are you so worried? She's not exactly college material." "She's smart, she just needs to work harder." "Intelligence testing is really meaningless." "You really believe THAT kind of child ever can catch up?" "If she would just read the directions, she'd do just fine"..."She'll never be a good reader." "I never write in cursive." No wonder my head is spinning after each meeting....
10. They are particularly lacking in training here! They pointed out to me that I had the audacity to request an IEP BEFORE the placement decision was made. What an awful Mother I must be!! From OSEP's Guidance Letter re: Deaf Students Education Services: "The decision as to what placement will provide FAPE for an individual deaf child — which includes a determination as to the LRE in which appropriate services can be made available to the child — must be made only after a full and complete IEP has been developed that addresses the full range of the child's needs." The SLP at my sons' last school gave my son the TACL (Test of Auditory Comprehension) while he was......wait for it......UNAIDED! My PROFOUNDLY deaf son, and then dutifully listed the fact that he had failed, in her report. When I asked that IEP services be implemented, the TOD gleefully pointed out that the word "MAY" was in the IEP (and indeed to my absolute DISGUST, it WAS) and that the district didn't need to provide those services after all. (Currently waiting for new IEP mtg. date to be announced). When OT and PT goals were being written, OT proudly pointed out to admin. team members that all goals are specifically geared towards classroom only and don't take into account any life skills. School provided keyboard to said child because of major fine motor delays but unfortunately, there was NO computer to hook said keyboard to FOR FOUR MONTHS; now that they have the computer, the TOD decided, by herself, that it is not helping, therefore it is not used!
11. About two weeks ago, I am at my son's school picking him up. This school is where the District INSISTED he go because he needs SO many services that it would be impossible for them to place him at his home school. (YEAH RIGHT!) Anyway, there I am 10 miles from home, enjoying the clean CO sunshine, (it WAS a beautiful day) when the Principal walks up to me and says "Oh, by the way, according to your sons' IEP, he doesn't need the same level of services anymore and will be attending his home school next year. SO, if you want your son to attend this school next year, you will have to fill out an Open Enrollment form, and of course, you know, this doesn't guarantee placement here for him." Now, shoot me if I'm wrong, BUT, doesn't the IEP Team have to meet (of which I could swear I am an integral part) and THEN the TEAM decides placement based ! ON THE IEP, AND for the District to CHANGE placement, it must be done through the IEP PROCESS?!?!? But, hell, what would I know, I'm only his mother!
12. 11. I advocated at an IEP meeting today where the SLP actually said it was against district policy to tell parents the progress the students were making on the IEP goals. Actually this may be a candidate for most stupid thing ever said at an IEP meeting. Anyway, I did ask for this policy in writing and mentioned that it seemed to
conflict with federal law. She said she often wanted to write more on the progress reports but was constrained by doing so by district policy. §300.347 of the Implementing Regulations for the IDEA state: (a) General. The IEP for each child with a disability must include— 7) A statement of - (i) How the child's progress toward the annual goals described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section will be measured; and
(ii) How the child's parents will be regularly informed (through such means as periodic report cards), at least as often as parents are informed of their nondisabled children's progress, of - (A) Their child's progress toward the annual goals; and (B) The extent to which that progress is sufficient to enable the child to achieve the goals by the end of the year.
13. I called the State Dept. of Sped to enquire to whom should I address a Fed. Complaint. Said Dept. of Sped gave my name and phone no. to a mediator and I suddenly found myself in the middle of mediation phone calls. HUH? Said mediator, when I was trying to explain various reasons why I did not want mediation (she didn't want to take no for an answer) told me that I didn't really need a lawyer present (school district was bringing one) as it was obvious that I was capable of a higher level of thinking and that made a lawyer, for me, redundant! (But, obviously, the School District still needed THEIRS!) That the parent's level of thinking is at a higher level than that of district personnel is merely a statement of that which is manifestly obvious, and indicative of the norm. However, if the parent did not bring an attorney to the mediation, which was initiated without the parent's knowledge or consent, in an attempt to abrogate her statutory right to file a complaint, she would
not be able to sock the district for the cost of said attorney, after she beats the stuffing out of those mendacious cretins. Such is unfortunately necessary in order to teach them a lesson, since the only language they understand is the language of Green.
14. Here is an exchange that occurred at an IEP review one of my son's teachers had requested: Teacher: I'm concerned about your son. After we drew up the last IEP, he seemed to be doing well in class. For the last 4-5 weeks though, I haven't been able to get him to pay attention in class. I have to go up to him and tap him on the shoulder to get him to attend to what I'm saying, but within a few minutes of instruction time, his mind has wandered off again and he has no idea what I'm talking about in class. I think we need to look at whether this IEP is truly appropriate for your son. Me: Hmmmm......Did the timing of when this started happening in class correspond to about the same time when you accidentally flushed the transmitter for his FM system, which hasn't come back from repairs yet? Teacher: you're right! I never thought of that. I guess the thing to do then would be to get that FM system back and start using it again. It was all I could do to keep from shouting out, "Duh!" at the end of this exchange.
15. At an IEP meeting for my 5 year old daughter I inquired about adding a ramp to the playground equipment. Here are some of the many reasons that were given me for NOT doing it. "If she could get her walker up on the equipment the other children
would have a hard time running around her" "If we built a ramp then neighborhood children might ride their bikes up here, get hurt and we would be sued" "Walking up that ramp would just make her too tired to walk back into school" And my favorite.... "I don't know how we would put a ramp on the equipment without making the playground look strange" All documented in the IEP! Eventually we got the ramp and the special ed director called me at home over the summer to tell me exactly how much the school system had to spend so that my daughter could play with other children...dramatic pauses and all.
16. I got several rather startling statements on tape: Asst. Principal: "Yes, I realize we haven't done an evaluation, but I really think it was your OLD school's responsibility to do that." TOD: "We don't have to do an evaluation for specific learning disability because your daughter already has a primary disability. Deafness." SLP: "Now that we all understand what the district's philosophy is, we need to go ahead and write an IEP based on that philosophy." TOD: "You guys don't have the only disabled child in this district. We can only do so much, and that's why we have TC. I mean, I don't understand why you don't think your daughter should sign. Can you explain that to me?" Asst. Principal: "Sir, have you thought about hiring a tutor for your daughter? Isn't your aunt retiring this year? I think she could be a tremendous help to your daughter." Asst. Principal: "You say your daughter is at a 7.6 grade level now. Well, what if she regresses over the summer? Where will that leave us? You two need to work really hard this summer to maintain her skills. LD kids often suffer regression." And finally...........from the TOD......"I wish we could afford to place every child where they really need to be. But we can't." This one is almost too easy!
17. We just a received a note that our child's IEP was up for review and as we had been to the last one there was no real need for us to be there. Yea right...did you roll on the floor laughing?!?!?!?!?
18. The author of Who Pays for Audiograms Used in Schools? reports receiving an e-mail from a teacher with a yahoo.com address, who told her that what she wrote doesn't apply in HER county, because in HER county, parents have the responsibility to provide the audiograms. These people JUST DO NOT GET IT! And what is the scariest of all, is they are teaching OUR KIDS!! Oh, I understand now!! HER county is not part of the United States and therefore not subject to FEDERAL LAW!! That's the only
reasonable explanation. If they are not subject to Federal Law, then they are not
eligible for any federal funds. They should cough up everything they've been getting and refund it to the taxpayers, with interest!
19. The school contracted with a stuttering specialist, but since nothing was working they stopped paying the bills. Can we stop paying our school taxes since nothing they do seems to be working very well?
20. Objective, under the goal of personal independence: "Johnny will independently cross the street safely, 50% of the time." And what about the other 50% of the time?
21. I am going to request our daughter get either auditory/verbal therapy and / or aural rehabilitation. At our meeting last month, the sped dir. said she had never heard of these so she didn't think the district should have to pay for them. Oh, this is RICH! I can see it now, "Well, your honor, the District feels we should not have to pay for this. Since I have never heard of this stuff, it cannot possibly be appropriate. Yes, your honor, 'appropriate' is defined as stuff I know about, and feel my budget can afford.
22. These aren't from Educrats, but I think they deserve a place on this page anyway. The following are two Supreme Court rulings released on the same day. "Employers who did not know their supervisors were sexually harassing employees still can be held legally responsible for such misconduct." "School districts are not liable when teachers sexually harass or abuse students unless some administrator knew about the misconduct." Does this mean that teachers are not employees of the school districts in which they work? Or does it mean that teachers do not supervise students? Or does it mean that the Supremes are again granting school districts "most favored entity status," consistent with its ruling that teachers, unlike other professionals, cannot be sued for malpractice, thus supporting and perpetuating the notion that school districts are not subject to the laws established for the rest of the nation?
23. I was told repeatedly that it was against the regs for our daughter to have any other problems because of her hearing problem. (Unless of course she was blind or motor impaired.) I think these educrats forgot to send God a memo about their regulations.
24. "Let's not put that in the IEP because then we're required to provide it. If we leave it out, then it's optional whether we provide the service or not." Well, they are half right.
25. Testing this year was done with tests normed on hearing-impaired children. Based on test results, our child may no longer qualify for services since he no longer scores 2 deviations below "standard". Since when does qualification for services depend on testing normed on those with the handicap? We are talking apples and oranges. If they want to know his ability to benefit from regular education, then they have to use testing normed on the general population! See our document Educational Evaluation of Deaf Children.
26. Occupational therapy and physical therapy denied (our child cannot use the left hand very well as a result of partial paralysis). Reason: Our child does not need the left hand for educational purposes. Gross motor problems could not be seen by the school PT, since our child did not have any problems on the swing and on the see-saw, in addition our child was able to walk!!!, jump and run. Coordination needed for going down the stairs or dribbling a ball while walking are not considered needed for educational purposes. Doctor's certificates and PT eval disrespected.
27. They told me they don't have to provide an interpreter all the time because my child has "other issues" besides deafness. Is he deaf only part of the time because of his "other issues", or all the time? If he's deaf all the time, that's when he should have an interpreter.
28. When offering justification for wanting to send my son to a "cluster" site instead of allowing him to stay in his home based school, she told me they wanted to put him with other deaf children to "enhance his lip-reading ability!" Didn't you know - speech reading is contagious!!
29. "What the parents are asking for is an impermissible maximization of services." Silly us, we thought it would be a novel idea for the interpreter to communicate in our son's language.
30. I had a principal "refuse" to authorize his staff to attend another IEP meeting. I laughed out loud for that one!...not very lawyerly of me I suppose! And he said it on tape!
31. When a SPED Director was trying to convince the parents of a 2nd grader that retention was needed, she commented that "he was so immature that he (child) doesn't have all his teeth yet." The father replied, "is that why reading is so 'tough' for him?"
32. When a parent inquired about whether the IDEA Amendments were in effect, a SPED Director replied, "they haven't been grandfathered in yet". Sometimes I wonder where Educrats get their training.
33. We are at this meeting and the sped director says, "Geez, why are you picking on us, we aren't the only school district which isn't providing ESY. There are 400 other ones that aren't either." Having anticipated this not-so-clever comment, I said, "You know, I thought you might say that. And let me tell you why I am picking on this particular district on ESY. There are really three reasons. First, my client happens to live in this one. Second, you happen to be a well-known sped director and whatever you do will certainly "get around." And third, I've calculated it out and in my lifetime I could never get to all of the other 400 districts even if I work night and day so I've decided just to focus on one and then the others will probably have to follow suit because they won't be able to say that all the other districts routinely deny ESY because this one won't be doing that anymore, will it?" You know he's never used this reason again with me.
34. "Your list of accommodations prevents the teachers eliminating your son's ADHD." Now if they can do that, I'd like to market their talent.
35. "We can't let him have a water bottle, they're not allowed in case they bring vodka in them." Are we talking about the kids or the teachers here?
36. "ALL Middle School kids have social skills problems. They just learn by watching their peers." So THIS is what our kids are learning in school?
37. "During the Adaptive PE evaluation he was worn out after 15-20 minutes. I will be seeing him twice a week for 50 minutes a session." Sounds like this one needs a basic lesson in math. Maybe working up to 50 minutes a session...but to start out with 50 minutes?
38. "We don't have anyone who can do that." Then they better get somebody. This is no excuse!
39. We don't have any place he can go. We have a space problem here." Same applies, it's no excuse. If it's needed for the child to receive FAPE, they have to find the space.
40. Can the parents do that? Insist on staff training for the disorders?" This one should be a "no brainer". We shouldn't have to insist upon it though. It should be the school's responsibility.
41. "He doesn't really have to learn cursive. All he needs to do is learn how to sign his name." Then why do the kids in regular ed have to learn it?
42. When a parent of a sped child asked for him to be placed in a class with his typical peers, the IEP team coordinator stated, "But then we would have to place him in a class that had all Down syndrome kids in it. Those are HIS typical peers." This is certainly a creative interpretation of the IDEA.
43. Although the school district and director of special education had verified the child's disability and entitlement to receive special education services under IDEA, it was the school district's position (prior to hearing anyway) that they would not provide the child with an interpreter until the child "stopped using her disability as a crutch to get attention from her teacher and classmates". At the conclusion of the due process hearing, the school district was ordered to provide the child with an interpreter.
44. At a meeting called to evaluate a child : Parent: You need to get your Dr. on staff/retainer to do some medical testing. School: We don't have a Dr. on contract. Parent: Well, I am requesting an IEE (at which point the parent showed them supporting documents in the CFR and the Fed. Regs.) School: Oh, we don't do that here. The parent was dumbfounded and asked them if they still considered Florida to be part of the Union.
45. My family does not drink milk. Understanding that the school lunch program offered orange juice as an alternative to milk, I sent my daughters for hot lunch that day. They were told they could not have OJ because they did not have a "note". When I called to ask about the "note", the school administrator told me that they couldn't provide OJ to just anyone because then "all the kids would want it" (ohmigosh...it will be anarchy!!) and OJ is only available to children who have a note from the family doctor stating they are "SEVERELY lactose intolerant". So...I guess mildly or moderately lactose intolerant is okay???
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
TN: Teacher Licensing Actions
Want to find out more about your child's teachers?
Tennessee maintains a searchable database of teacher licensing which includes information about whether a license is active or inactive, whether an educator has had any revocations, suspensions, or disciplinary actions, the date the license was issued, and the expiration date. Also listed is whether the teacher is considered "Highly Qualified" and if so, what subjects the teacher is highly qualified in.
This information and more can be found here:
https://www.k-12.state.tn.us/tcertinf/EducatorSearch.asp.
Note: From what we have been able to determine, this listing includes EVERY person who has ever had a license in the state, NOT just those who have faced disciplinary action.
To search the database, searchers may input the educators last name. A first name or social security number can also be included, but is not necessary to return a listing of results.
Tennessee maintains a searchable database of teacher licensing which includes information about whether a license is active or inactive, whether an educator has had any revocations, suspensions, or disciplinary actions, the date the license was issued, and the expiration date. Also listed is whether the teacher is considered "Highly Qualified" and if so, what subjects the teacher is highly qualified in.
This information and more can be found here:
https://www.k-12.state.tn.us/tcertinf/EducatorSearch.asp.
Note: From what we have been able to determine, this listing includes EVERY person who has ever had a license in the state, NOT just those who have faced disciplinary action.
To search the database, searchers may input the educators last name. A first name or social security number can also be included, but is not necessary to return a listing of results.
TX: State Board for Education Certification Search
Is your child's teacher or former teacher included in this database of educators who have had their teaching license revoked, surrendered their license in lieu of punishment, or received other disciplinary action?
You can find out by searching through the TX State Board for Education Certification Official Educator Search, which can be found here:
http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECONLINE/virtcert.asp
To search the database, you have to type in the teacher's full name (first and last) in the designated area and wait a short time for results. This is the only way to search for names through their website at this time. Unfortunately, Texas does not directly provide a listing of ALL the names included in their database for public viewing on their website like some other states do.
http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECONLINE/virtcert.asp
To search the database, you have to type in the teacher's full name (first and last) in the designated area and wait a short time for results. This is the only way to search for names through their website at this time. Unfortunately, Texas does not directly provide a listing of ALL the names included in their database for public viewing on their website like some other states do.
We hope your child never comes across a teacher who either is included in this database...or who should be. But if your child's teacher does appear in this database and we have not included them in our "list", could you please let us know at tcfpbis@gmail.com?
Thanks!
NC: List of Disciplinary Actions to Date
Below is a link to the North Carolina State Board of Education's list of Disciplinary Actions to date, complete with full names, action (revocation, suspension, reinstatement), reason for the action, and date of action. This listing appears to have last been added to as of March 2009. This listing is by teacher name, in alphabetical order:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/stateboard/legal/revoked
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/stateboard/legal/revoked
Sunday, October 4, 2009
PA: NOTIFICATION OF TEACHING CERTIFICATE ACTIONS
The Department of Education has a listing of licensure revocations and reinstatements as of August 31, 2009. The list includes teachers who have lost their licenses due to convictions of abuse of disabled children (including physical and sexual abuse), sexual abuse and molestation, and corruption of minors, as well as teachers who had voluntarily surrendered their license rather than face disciplinary action:
http://www.pdenewsroom.state.pa.us/newsroom/cwp/view.asp?A=256&Q=150055
http://www.pdenewsroom.state.pa.us/newsroom/cwp/view.asp?A=256&Q=150055
Announcement: HR 2597 New PBIS Bill Introduced in House of Rep
HR 2597, or the “Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act,” has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Phil Hare, Congresswoman Shea-Porter, Congressman Loebsack, Congressman Courtney, Congressman Davis, Congresswoman Schakowsky, and Congressman Cummings to “amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools to increase implementation of school-wide positive behavior supports.”
The Act calls for the ability to designate Title I funds for the implementation of School Wide PBS programs. The Act also asks for the creation of a new office to be titled The Office for Specialized Instructional Support Services. This office would be within the Office of the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education.
The full text of the Act may be found here: http://www.dignityinschools.org/files/PBESA_HR_2597.pdf.
The Act calls for the ability to designate Title I funds for the implementation of School Wide PBS programs. The Act also asks for the creation of a new office to be titled The Office for Specialized Instructional Support Services. This office would be within the Office of the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education.
The full text of the Act may be found here: http://www.dignityinschools.org/files/PBESA_HR_2597.pdf.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Announcement: New "Stop Institutional Child Abuse" Group Created
For those of you looking for a place to share your stories and ideas as to how we can put an end to abuse in schools, a new Yahoo List Serve Group has been created, called "Stop Institutional Child Abuse" at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stop-the-abuse/.
Hope to see you there!
Hope to see you there!
Action Alert Georgia: Meeting October 15, 2009 in Macon
Forwarded message from The Georgia Advocacy Office
The Georgia Advocacy Office, in collaboration with The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University, and the Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia, urges the Georgia State Board of Education to promulgate a rule that protects all Georgia students from restraint and seclusion and which encourages the proactive use of Positive Behavior Supports in Georgia public schools.
The Department of Education has heeded the call of advocates to regulate the State's dangerous practice of restraint and seclusion by preparing for rule initiation sometime in the late fall or early spring. Early draft versions of the rule have outlawed the use of seclusion and have limited the use of restraint to those situations involving risk of serious bodily injury to self or others. Additionally, prone restraint, chemical restraint, and the practice of restraint used as a punitive measure have been prohibited.
We applaud the Department's decision to address this issue through the development of a rule. This is a good start, but more work is needed. The coalition urges the public to join us in insisting that the rule prohibits the use of adversives, clarifies and strengthens the training requirements for school personnel, provides enhanced safeguards for students who experience prolonged restraint,and creates enforcement and reporting mechanisms.
We invite members of the community to come hear about the State Board of Education rule promulgation process and how they can become involved through public comment. Please join us as we discuss this exciting opportunity at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities public forum on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at
the Pilot International Foundation located at 102 Preston Ct, Macon, 31210."
The Georgia Advocacy Office, in collaboration with The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University, and the Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia, urges the Georgia State Board of Education to promulgate a rule that protects all Georgia students from restraint and seclusion and which encourages the proactive use of Positive Behavior Supports in Georgia public schools.
The Department of Education has heeded the call of advocates to regulate the State's dangerous practice of restraint and seclusion by preparing for rule initiation sometime in the late fall or early spring. Early draft versions of the rule have outlawed the use of seclusion and have limited the use of restraint to those situations involving risk of serious bodily injury to self or others. Additionally, prone restraint, chemical restraint, and the practice of restraint used as a punitive measure have been prohibited.
We applaud the Department's decision to address this issue through the development of a rule. This is a good start, but more work is needed. The coalition urges the public to join us in insisting that the rule prohibits the use of adversives, clarifies and strengthens the training requirements for school personnel, provides enhanced safeguards for students who experience prolonged restraint,and creates enforcement and reporting mechanisms.
We invite members of the community to come hear about the State Board of Education rule promulgation process and how they can become involved through public comment. Please join us as we discuss this exciting opportunity at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities public forum on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at
the Pilot International Foundation located at 102 Preston Ct, Macon, 31210."
FL: Special Report - Broken Trust (A Must Read!)
The following investigative report by the Herald Tribune (in slide show format) is a MUST READ! This report documents why hundreds of school teachers who have physically, verbally, and/or sexually molested/harrassed students ARE STILL PERMITTED TO TEACH in Florida's schools.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?CATEGORY=MULTIMEDIA0202
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?CATEGORY=MULTIMEDIA0202
State by State Listing of Locations that Have Allegedly Engaged in Restraint, Seclusion, or Abuse
Disclaimer: The following list contains schools, hospitals, residential settings, treatment centers, and other locations that have been identified or reported as allegedly using restraint, seclusion, or other abusive practices.
This list is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Please be advised that we have not personally investigated any particular "place" on this list, but have compiled this list from published newspaper articles and/or received reports from individuals, parents, family members, teachers, advocates, and others about possible abusive practices.
Please also bear in mind we are also not accusing any place or individual of wrongdoing, only reporting "allegations" for informational purposes only.
If you know of a location that should be added to our list, could you please email tcpbis@gmail.com with the name of the location and the city and state? Your contact information will be kept confidential.
Special thanks to Families Against Restraint and Seclusion (http://www.familiesagainstrestraintandseclusion.blogspot.com/) for their prior contribution to this list...
Updated October 3, 2009: 337 Locations in 36 States
Alabama
1. Madison County Elementary School, Madison County, Gurly, AL (Rape)
Arizona
1. America's Buffalo Soldiers, Maricopa County, AZ (DEATH: 14 yr old Anthony T. Haynes died on 7/1/01 due to dehydration and near drowning at a desert youth boot camp)
2. Northstar Expeditions Wilderness Program, Phoenix, AZ (DEATH: 16 yr old Aaron Wright Bacon died on 3/31/94 due to untreated peritonitis)
3. Settlers’ Point Elementary, Gilbert, AZ (Restraint: Repeated restraints of 5 yr old boy with autism)
California
1. Bret Harte Middle School, San Jose School District, San Jose, CA (Restraint by Handcuffs)
2. Carter High School, Unified School District, Rialto (Sexual Abuse: 17 yr old girl with microencephaly groped and kissed on 3 different occasions by boys with IQ’s of around 50)
3. El Modina High School, Orange County, CA (Sexual Abuse/Arrest: Band Director charged with 8 counts of sexual misconduct with a male student)
4. John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Modesto, CA
5. Lake View Elementary, Ocean View School District, Oakland, CA (Prone Restraint of 7 yr old boy with autism; 5 yr old non-verbal boy with autism “lost” for 10 minutes after he wandered away from school)
6. Mendenhall Middle School, Livermore School District, Livermore, CA (Restraint and Seclusion)
7. Monterrey Road Elementary, San Louis Obispo County Office of Education, Atascadero, CA (Restraint; Quiet Rooms)
8. Spectrum Schools, Oakland, CA (Restraint)
Colorado
1. Alternative Youth Adventures Camp, Montrose County, CO (DEATH: 15 yr old Caleb Jensen died in this wilderness camp on 5/2/07 as a result of medical negligence due to an untreated staph infection)
2. Colorado Boys Ranch, Colorado Springs, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
3. Evergreen Attachment Center (RESTRAINT DEATH: 10 yr old Candance Newmaker died of asphyxiation on 4/18/00 while restrained by a flannel blanket wrapped tightly around her from head to toe while adults placed pillows and themselves on top of her to simulate a “rebirthing” process to help her “bond” with her adoptive mother)
4. Johnson Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
5. Linton Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
6. Werner Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
7. Will Rogers Elementary School, Colorado Springs, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
8. Zach Core Knowledge School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint of child with epilepsy)
Connecticut
1. Chamberlain School, New Britain Board of Education, New Britain, CT (Abuse: Seven charges - including cruelty - filed against special education teacher for abusing 3 children in a self-contained autism classroom during 2007-2008 school year)
2. Elmcrest Psychiatric Hospital, Hartford, CT (RESTRAINT DEATH: 11 yr old Andrew McClain died on 3/22/98 due to traumatic asphyxia resulting from a prone restraint)
3. Hindley Elementary School, Darien School District, CT (Abuse: Lawsuit filed against two teachers aides’ who were accused of repeatedly physically and mentally abusing 4 children with disabilities)
4. O’Brien Learning Center, Seymour, CT (Seclusion Rooms used for children as young as 3)
5. Oxridge Elementary School, Darien, CT (Locked padded seclusion room; other seclusions of 6 yr old boy with autism)
6. River Street School, Hartford, CT (Multiple restraints of 6 yr old boy with autism)
7. Unnamed Special Education Preschool, Middlebury, CT (Seclusion: 4 yr old boy with autism placed in closet)
8. Wilton High School, Wilton, CT (Restraints)
Florida
1. Apopka High School, Orange County Schools, Apopka, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Carrie Lynn Kirkland received Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of having a romantic relationship with a student, during which time she kissed him and showed him her breasts; Timothy E. Bridges received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having an "inappropriate physical relationship" with a female student over several years and "sexual behavior or harassment" involving a female teacher and another female student.)
2. Avon Elementary School, Highlands District, Highlands County, FL (6 yr old girl arrested from her special education classroom for “disrupting classroom” with her crying and resisting forced removal from classroom)
3. Back to Basics Military Academy, Miami, FL (DEATH: 13 yr old Alex Cullinane died on 8/12/06 due to possible dehydration; death under investigation)
4. Beacon Cove Intermediate School, Jupiter, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of putting his hand on the buttock of a 9-year-old female student and leaving it there for several seconds. He also allegedly patted a third-grade student on her bottom and on her belly below the navel)
5. Chaires Elementary School, Leon County School District, Tallahassee, FL (Locked Seclusion room)
6. Challenger School, Martin County School District, Stuart, FL (Restraint, Abuse, Neglect)
7. Colonial Elementary School, Fort Meyers, FL
8. Conway Middle School, Orange County Schools, Orlando, FL ( Todd W. Johnson received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having a relationship with a former 13-year-old student that involved meeting after school sporting events, and e-mailing and calling the girl to say he loved her and wanted their friendship to grow into something more, Ricardo Parr received Permanent Revocation in 2006 and barred from applying for another certificate; accused of sending e-mails to a female student saying he "wanted her" and asking is she was a virgin.)
9. Coral Springs High School, Coral Springs, FL (Sexual Misconduct: David Hugh Menke received Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of sending sexually-explicit messages online to female students from his physics class; 2007, Bert Peck received, five years' suspension, $1,000 fine and prohibited from driving students in a motor vehicle in 2007; accused of misconduct that included calling a student "the horniest girl in eighth grade" in front of other students)
10. Coral Sunset Elementary, Boca Raton, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Blake Farrell Sinrod received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2008; pleaded guilty to the charge of child abuse. He had been accused of molesting two students)
11. Cypress Bay High, Weston, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Gerard K. Czwartacky received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of grabbing a female student's buttocks and playing with girls' hair and rubbing their backs. During a conversation about a class party, he allegedly took a female student aside and, while leaning "exceedingly close," told her they would "have our own part."; Alex Anninos received Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student he tutored in math)
12. Dale Cassens School, Fort Pierce, FL (Restraint/Broken Arm: 13 yr old boy’s arm broken when a “trained specialist” pushed his arm behind his back too far)
13. Deerfield Beach Middle School, Deerfield Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: David Alan Morgenstern received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of showering with a mentally-challenged female student and massaging her breasts and private area; Gregory Ivan Harris received letter of reprimand, two years' probation, and a $500 fine in 2007; accused of asking a female student about the color of her underwear and if he could see it)
14. DeLand High School, Volusia County, Deland, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2008, James W. Rakes, received letter of reprimand and $250 fine in 2008; accused of projecting a pornographic image onto a classroom screen that was viewed by a 19-year-old male student; 2007, Bruce S. Snow received Surrender/ Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of harassing a female student by sending her personal cards, calling her at home, repeatedly visiting her place of employment and leaving a rose on her car.)
15. Deltona High School, Volusia County, Deltona, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Carlos A. Mendez received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of kissing a 15-year-old girl on the cheek and describing his first sexual experience to a student)
16. Dillard High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Leroy James Gibbs received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of having a sexual relationship with a female student)
17. Dillard Street Elementary, Orange County Schools, Winter Garden, FL (Sexual Misconduct: James Joiner received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of rubbing, tickling and hugging several female students.)
18. Endeavor Elementary, Brevard County, Orlando, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2007, Daniel Travis Cliatt received Surrender/Permanent Revocation of certificate in 2007; convicted of molesting a former student.)
19. Father Lopez Catholic High School, Daytona Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: James E. Sinsel received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for another certificate in 2006; accused of sending a 15-year-old female student an instant message that ended with "Love ya, bye" and mailing a personal letter to a female student that contained a drawing of a diamond ring that he indicated was for "his girl" if she wanted it)
20. Flanagan High School, Pembroke Pines, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Raymond Caldes receive letter of reprimand and $500 fine in 2007; accused of staring at girls' breasts and telling students, when he was asked if he was Jewish, that he would look down his pants and check)
21. Florida Christian Institute of Academic Excellence, Fort Meyers, FL
22. Forest Hill High School, West Palm Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2007, Joel H. Drucker received letter of reprimand and two years' probation and $250 fine in 2008; accused of pulling on the label of a female student's underwear and attempting to read it. He also allegedly told two girls who were discussing the size of their breasts that "a handful is enough.")
23. Forte Meade Middle-Senior High, Polk County, Forte Meade, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Theodore A. Murray received Permanent Revocation in 2007; pleaded no contest to a criminal charge of voyeurism after he was accused of secretly filming or photographing a male student showering, dressing or using the bathroom.)
24. Fort Lauderdale High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Edward Allen Steinlauf received letter of reprimand, one year of probation, required to pay a $250 fine, and complete a college course on child development in 2008; accused of telling students about him having sex with his wife and claiming he had sex with the school's principal)
25. Garden City Elementary School, St Lucie County, FL (Restraint/Broken Arm: A child’s arm was broken during a restraint by a “behavior technician” who applied “improper techniques)
26. Gulf Elementary School, Lee County, FL (Restraint: Parent witnessed two teachers laying on top of 5 yr old child’s head)
27. Hollywood Hills High School, Hollywood, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Winston M. DeWeever received one year of suspension, two years' probation, and a $250 fine in 2007; accused of hugging and kissing a female student close to the mouth and offering to give another girl a passing grade for a "favor" that was understood to be a sex; Anthony Lalli received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of rubbing several female students on the leg, thigh or hip and touching the bras or bra straps of several fifth-grade girls)
28. Immokalee Community School, Immokalee, FL (Abuse: Teacher fired after he became drunk on field trip, kept 5 children in a locked hotel room, and verbally and physically assaulted them)
29. Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Gilbert C. Hall received letter of reprimand and two years' probation in 2006; accused of discussing with students his girlfriend's "big rack," referring to a female student as "hot," and seating girls at the front of the class so he could stare at their breasts and buttocks)
30. James S. Rickards Middle School, Oakland Park, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Roger D. Morgan received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of exchanging sexually-explicit material via e-mail with a female student and hugging and kissing her in his classroom; Stephen J. Levenson received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2007; pleaded no contest to a battery charge after he was accused of inappropriately touching four students)
Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate; accused of exchanging sexually-explicit material via e-mail with a female student and hugging and kissing her in his classroom.
31. John F. Kennedy Middle School, Riviera Beach, FL (Antoinette Pietro received letter of reprimand, two years' probation and $100 fine in 2006; accused of making sex-related comments to a seventh-rade girl, calling her a "hot hoochie heifer" and asking male students if they wanted to have sex with her)
32. Kingswood Elementary School, Hillsborough School District, FL (Arrest: Music teacher Robert Nicholson arrested for allegedly abusing a 10 yr old boy by wrapping his arms around the boy’s neck and torso, making it difficult for the child to breath. Teacher investigated twice before but not disciplined either time)
33. Kirby-Smith Middle School, Duvall County School District, Jacksonville, FL (Restraint: Teacher accused of duct taping boy to desk)
34. Lake Brantley High, Seminole County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2008, Milo Franklin Congden received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for another certificate; accused of referring to a female student as "G-string" and saying she had a "nice butt" and commenting to a female student about a female teacher's breasts)
35. Lakeland Senior High, Polk County, Lakeland, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Richard Bruce Lundahl received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2008; accused of having sex with a female student when she visited his home for music tutoring)
36. Lakeview Middle School, Orange County Schools, Winter Garden Florida (Sexual Misconduct: Vincent Gary Rains received Permanent Revocation in 2007; found guilty by the court of lewd battery on a 12-year-old male student; 2006, Todd W. Johnson, Pinar Elementary and Conway Middle, Permanent Revocation; accused of having a relationship with a former 13-year-old student that involved meeting after school sporting events, and e-mailing and calling the girl to say he loved her and wanted their friendship to grow into something more.)
37. Lake Worth Middle School, Lake Worth, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2006, James Michael Mostowy received suspension, three years' probation, and $2,000 fine in 2006; accused of an inappropriate personal relationship with a former student that included writing letters to each other, inviting her to his home to swim in his pool and giving her gifts)
38. Lantana Middle School, Palm Beach, FL (Restraint: Boy with autism restrained 89 times in 14 months)
39. Leesburg High School, Lake County, Leesburg, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2008, Brandon Hughes received letter of reprimand and $500 fine in 2008; accused of touching the genitals of an 18-year-old former student on school property while treating her for a boil on her upper, inner thigh)
40. Limestone Creek Elementary School, Jupiter, FL (Restraint)
41. Lippman Family Center, Broward County, FL (DEATH: 15 yr old Anthony Dumas died on 6/12/00 - 4 months after falling into a coma after he hung himself with a belt in an unlicensed facility that is under contract with the State of Florida Dept of Juvenile Justice; employees at the facility snapped pictures and, though he was still alive, they did NOT cut him down, instead waiting for state police to arrive on the scene.)
42. Madison Middle School, Brevard County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Benjamin Leon Gary received Five-year Revocation of certificate in 2006; accused of touching at least two girls under their shirts and on their thighs, telling a student she was pretty and had sexy lips and searching students' pockets with his hands, making them feel uncomfortable.)
43. Manatee Elementary. St. Lucie County, FL
44. McArthur High School, Hollywood, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Dana J. Sorensen received letter of reprimand and two years' probation in 2006; accused of keeping photos of nude or scantily-clad females, including students, in his classroom or on his school computer. He also allegedly made sexual comments to a female student online)
45 Miramar Elementary, Miramar, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Seth Kaplan received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of sending e-mails to a female student, discussing "inappropriate" subjects such as her virginity)
46. Monarch High School, Coconut Creek, FL (Abuse: Teacher’s aide under investigation for throwing metal chair at boy with autism)
47. Moorehead Senior High School, Moorehead County School District, FL (Seclusion Room: Special investigation found 5 seclusion rooms in district; Room 208 suspected as seclusion room)
48. New Smyrna Beach Middle School, Volusia County, New Smyrna Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2007, Paula Jean Cantrell received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of having a sexual relationship with a male student for a year and a half; David Robert Nist received letter of reprimand and $500 fine in 2007; accused of sending sex-related texts to a female student and talking online to a female student about sex and drinking)
49. North Area Abeyance Center School, Brevard County, Mims, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Jennifer A. Collins received Permanent Revocation of certificate in 2006; found guilty in a criminal court of lewd battery against a 14-year-old male student.)
50. Oak Hammock K-8, St Lucie County, FL
51. Oviedo High School, Seminole County, Ovieda, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Brian S. Wilson received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old student)
52. Palm Beach Lakes High School, Palm Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: James H. Wheeler received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having an "intimate physical relationship" with a female student)
53. Parkway Academy Charter High School, Miramar, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Tamorris Wooten received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate; accused of having sex with a female student. Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of having sex with a female student)
54. Pelican Elementary School, Lee County, FL
55. Pinar Elementary School, Orange County Schools, Orlando, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2006, Todd W. Johnson received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having a relationship with a former 13-year-old student that involved meeting after school sporting events, and e-mailing and calling the girl to say he loved her and wanted their friendship to grow into something more.)
56. Pinellas Central Elementary, Pinellas County FL
57. Pine Ridge High, Volusia County, Deltona, FL (Sexual Misconduct Maria Claudia Velasco-Rangel received letter of reprimand and $500 fine in 2008; accused of engaging students in inappropriate discussions about sex and embarrassing students by asking them in front of the class if they were virgins)
58. Robert Hungerford Preparatory High, Orange County Schools, Kissimmee, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2006, Thomas Solister Lee received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of asking an 18-year-old student about having a romantic relationship with him after she graduated)
59. Rolling Green Elementary, West Palm Beach County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Carol L. Flannigan received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2008; pleaded guilty to lewd molestation. She admitted having sex with a fifth-grader in 2003)
60. Royal Palm Exceptional School, Lee County, Ft. Myers, FL (Arrest: 9 yr old girl with mental illness arrested after being taken to “time out room”)
61. Simons Career Center, Hillsboro County, Plant City, FL (Restraint and Seclusion)
62. South Seminole Middle School, Seminole County Public Schools, Cassleberry, Seminole Country (Abuse: Teacher charged with abusing 5 boys with autism multiple times)
63. Spruce Creek High, Volusia County, Port Orange, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Delana McFarland received letter of reprimand and two years' probation and required to pay a $250 fine and complete a college ethics course in 2008; accused of sending a male student text messages, calling him "cutie," "baby" and "sexie"; Christopher Thomas Kellett received letter of reprimand and $250 fine in 2006; accused of touching a student near her breast and on her stomach and leg and also hugging her several times while they were alone in an equipment room.)
64. Sunrise Elementary, Marion County Public School District, Ocala, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Darren Paul Lutz received letter of reprimand and two years' probation and required to pay a $250 fine and complete a college course on child development in 2007; accused of touching a female students' breasts while asking, "Who do you love?")
65.Three Oaks Elementary, Lee County, FL (Restraint)
66. Trafalgar Elementary School, Lee County, FL
67. University High School, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando, FL (Sexual Misconduct/License Revoked: 2008, Bradley J. Winneshiek received a Surrender/Permanent Revocation of certificate; accused of calling and e-mailing two female students to discuss his marital problems; asking a female student to dinner after she moved to another school; and having photos on his school computer of female students wearing bras or bathing suits and kissing each other in 2008.)
68. Unnamed School, Broward County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Lynn H. Rochelle received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2008; accused of having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old female student more than 30 years ago while teaching in Texas)
69. Unnamed School, Orange County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Cynthia Jean Bradford received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for another certificate; accused of misconduct that included reading graphically-sexual material to students that was not part of her lesson plan in 2008)
70. Unnamed School, Pinellas County, FL (Locked Seclusion Room: 9 yr old child with “severe emotional handicaps placed in concrete 6 x 6 room)
71. Unnamed School, Polk County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Jason Scott Hornsby received Letter of Reprimand, two years' probation and required to pay a $500 fine and complete a college course on ethics in 2008; accused of sending a female student vulgar and threatening e-mails)
72. Unnamed School, Velusia County, FL (Sexual Conduct: Paul W. Blanchfield received letter of reprimand and $350 fine in 2007; accused of hugging and kissing a 13-year-old girl in his classroom and a storage area)
73. Venice Elementary School, Sarasota County School District, Venice, FL (Abuse: Special Ed. Teacher charged with Physical Abuse of students)
74. Villas Elementary, Fort Meyers, FL
75. Warner Christian Academy, South Daytona, FL (Arrest/Sexual Abuse: Teacher Cynthia Horvath accused of repeated unlawful sexual activity with a 17 yr old boy)
76.Watkins Elementary School, Pembroke Park, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Victor Melece Chaler received letter of reprimand, three years' probation, required to pay a $500 fine, and prohibited from working with non-communicative students in 2008; accused of inappropriately touching a male student while the boy sat on his lap several times)
77. William R. Boone High School, Orange County School, Orlando, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Aaron Kurdle received letter of reprimand and two years' probation plus a $1,000 fine and a requirement to take a college course on child development; accused of making sexual comments and commenting on female students' weight and breast size in 2008; Laura Hilton received Permanent Revocation; accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student in 2007; Dang Van Dinh, Boone High received Surrender/Permanent Revocation; pleaded guilty to lewd battery on a child after acknowledging he had a sexual relationship with a student for almost a year in 2006.)
78.Winter Haven High, Polk County, Winter Haven, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Jason Wade Carter received Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of having a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old student that included meeting her alone in his vehicle, holding her hand and kissing her on the mouth.)
Georgia
1. Alpine Psychoeducational Program, Pioneer Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), Gainesville, GA (Seclusion DEATH: Suicide by hanging)
2. Chestatee Elementary, Cummng, GA 30040 (We are happy to report this school NO LONGER USES SECLUSION ROOMS!)
3. Hephzibah Elementary School, Richmond Cty, Georgia (Abuse, Seclusion)
Illinois
1. Jefferson Elementary School, Harvard, IL (Substitute teacher convicted of aggravated battery/unlawful restraint, sentenced to two years probation, a $1500 fine and 80 hours public service; taped two children with disabilities to chairs)
2. John B. Ward Du Quoin, IL
3. Robert Frost Jr. High School, Schaumburg, IL
4. Schaumburg Township Elementary School District 54, Schaumburg, IL
Indiana
1. Fairview Elementary School, Richmond Community Schools, Wayne County, Richmond, IN (Restraint Injury)
Iowa
1. Adel Elementary School, Adel-Desoto-Minburg Community School District, Adel, IA (Seclusion)
2. Walnut Hills Elementary, Waukee, IA ( Seclusion, including one lasting 3.5 hours)
3. Waukee Elementary School, Waukee, IA
Kansas
1. Heartspring, Witchita, KS
This list is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Please be advised that we have not personally investigated any particular "place" on this list, but have compiled this list from published newspaper articles and/or received reports from individuals, parents, family members, teachers, advocates, and others about possible abusive practices.
Please also bear in mind we are also not accusing any place or individual of wrongdoing, only reporting "allegations" for informational purposes only.
If you know of a location that should be added to our list, could you please email tcpbis@gmail.com with the name of the location and the city and state? Your contact information will be kept confidential.
Special thanks to Families Against Restraint and Seclusion (http://www.familiesagainstrestraintandseclusion.blogspot.com/) for their prior contribution to this list...
Updated October 3, 2009: 337 Locations in 36 States
Alabama
1. Madison County Elementary School, Madison County, Gurly, AL (Rape)
Arizona
1. America's Buffalo Soldiers, Maricopa County, AZ (DEATH: 14 yr old Anthony T. Haynes died on 7/1/01 due to dehydration and near drowning at a desert youth boot camp)
2. Northstar Expeditions Wilderness Program, Phoenix, AZ (DEATH: 16 yr old Aaron Wright Bacon died on 3/31/94 due to untreated peritonitis)
3. Settlers’ Point Elementary, Gilbert, AZ (Restraint: Repeated restraints of 5 yr old boy with autism)
California
1. Bret Harte Middle School, San Jose School District, San Jose, CA (Restraint by Handcuffs)
2. Carter High School, Unified School District, Rialto (Sexual Abuse: 17 yr old girl with microencephaly groped and kissed on 3 different occasions by boys with IQ’s of around 50)
3. El Modina High School, Orange County, CA (Sexual Abuse/Arrest: Band Director charged with 8 counts of sexual misconduct with a male student)
4. John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Modesto, CA
5. Lake View Elementary, Ocean View School District, Oakland, CA (Prone Restraint of 7 yr old boy with autism; 5 yr old non-verbal boy with autism “lost” for 10 minutes after he wandered away from school)
6. Mendenhall Middle School, Livermore School District, Livermore, CA (Restraint and Seclusion)
7. Monterrey Road Elementary, San Louis Obispo County Office of Education, Atascadero, CA (Restraint; Quiet Rooms)
8. Spectrum Schools, Oakland, CA (Restraint)
Colorado
1. Alternative Youth Adventures Camp, Montrose County, CO (DEATH: 15 yr old Caleb Jensen died in this wilderness camp on 5/2/07 as a result of medical negligence due to an untreated staph infection)
2. Colorado Boys Ranch, Colorado Springs, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
3. Evergreen Attachment Center (RESTRAINT DEATH: 10 yr old Candance Newmaker died of asphyxiation on 4/18/00 while restrained by a flannel blanket wrapped tightly around her from head to toe while adults placed pillows and themselves on top of her to simulate a “rebirthing” process to help her “bond” with her adoptive mother)
4. Johnson Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
5. Linton Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
6. Werner Elementary School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
7. Will Rogers Elementary School, Colorado Springs, CO (Restraint and Seclusion)
8. Zach Core Knowledge School, Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO (Restraint of child with epilepsy)
Connecticut
1. Chamberlain School, New Britain Board of Education, New Britain, CT (Abuse: Seven charges - including cruelty - filed against special education teacher for abusing 3 children in a self-contained autism classroom during 2007-2008 school year)
2. Elmcrest Psychiatric Hospital, Hartford, CT (RESTRAINT DEATH: 11 yr old Andrew McClain died on 3/22/98 due to traumatic asphyxia resulting from a prone restraint)
3. Hindley Elementary School, Darien School District, CT (Abuse: Lawsuit filed against two teachers aides’ who were accused of repeatedly physically and mentally abusing 4 children with disabilities)
4. O’Brien Learning Center, Seymour, CT (Seclusion Rooms used for children as young as 3)
5. Oxridge Elementary School, Darien, CT (Locked padded seclusion room; other seclusions of 6 yr old boy with autism)
6. River Street School, Hartford, CT (Multiple restraints of 6 yr old boy with autism)
7. Unnamed Special Education Preschool, Middlebury, CT (Seclusion: 4 yr old boy with autism placed in closet)
8. Wilton High School, Wilton, CT (Restraints)
Florida
1. Apopka High School, Orange County Schools, Apopka, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Carrie Lynn Kirkland received Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of having a romantic relationship with a student, during which time she kissed him and showed him her breasts; Timothy E. Bridges received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having an "inappropriate physical relationship" with a female student over several years and "sexual behavior or harassment" involving a female teacher and another female student.)
2. Avon Elementary School, Highlands District, Highlands County, FL (6 yr old girl arrested from her special education classroom for “disrupting classroom” with her crying and resisting forced removal from classroom)
3. Back to Basics Military Academy, Miami, FL (DEATH: 13 yr old Alex Cullinane died on 8/12/06 due to possible dehydration; death under investigation)
4. Beacon Cove Intermediate School, Jupiter, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of putting his hand on the buttock of a 9-year-old female student and leaving it there for several seconds. He also allegedly patted a third-grade student on her bottom and on her belly below the navel)
5. Chaires Elementary School, Leon County School District, Tallahassee, FL (Locked Seclusion room)
6. Challenger School, Martin County School District, Stuart, FL (Restraint, Abuse, Neglect)
7. Colonial Elementary School, Fort Meyers, FL
8. Conway Middle School, Orange County Schools, Orlando, FL ( Todd W. Johnson received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having a relationship with a former 13-year-old student that involved meeting after school sporting events, and e-mailing and calling the girl to say he loved her and wanted their friendship to grow into something more, Ricardo Parr received Permanent Revocation in 2006 and barred from applying for another certificate; accused of sending e-mails to a female student saying he "wanted her" and asking is she was a virgin.)
9. Coral Springs High School, Coral Springs, FL (Sexual Misconduct: David Hugh Menke received Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of sending sexually-explicit messages online to female students from his physics class; 2007, Bert Peck received, five years' suspension, $1,000 fine and prohibited from driving students in a motor vehicle in 2007; accused of misconduct that included calling a student "the horniest girl in eighth grade" in front of other students)
10. Coral Sunset Elementary, Boca Raton, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Blake Farrell Sinrod received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2008; pleaded guilty to the charge of child abuse. He had been accused of molesting two students)
11. Cypress Bay High, Weston, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Gerard K. Czwartacky received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of grabbing a female student's buttocks and playing with girls' hair and rubbing their backs. During a conversation about a class party, he allegedly took a female student aside and, while leaning "exceedingly close," told her they would "have our own part."; Alex Anninos received Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student he tutored in math)
12. Dale Cassens School, Fort Pierce, FL (Restraint/Broken Arm: 13 yr old boy’s arm broken when a “trained specialist” pushed his arm behind his back too far)
13. Deerfield Beach Middle School, Deerfield Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: David Alan Morgenstern received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of showering with a mentally-challenged female student and massaging her breasts and private area; Gregory Ivan Harris received letter of reprimand, two years' probation, and a $500 fine in 2007; accused of asking a female student about the color of her underwear and if he could see it)
14. DeLand High School, Volusia County, Deland, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2008, James W. Rakes, received letter of reprimand and $250 fine in 2008; accused of projecting a pornographic image onto a classroom screen that was viewed by a 19-year-old male student; 2007, Bruce S. Snow received Surrender/ Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of harassing a female student by sending her personal cards, calling her at home, repeatedly visiting her place of employment and leaving a rose on her car.)
15. Deltona High School, Volusia County, Deltona, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Carlos A. Mendez received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of kissing a 15-year-old girl on the cheek and describing his first sexual experience to a student)
16. Dillard High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Leroy James Gibbs received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of having a sexual relationship with a female student)
17. Dillard Street Elementary, Orange County Schools, Winter Garden, FL (Sexual Misconduct: James Joiner received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of rubbing, tickling and hugging several female students.)
18. Endeavor Elementary, Brevard County, Orlando, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2007, Daniel Travis Cliatt received Surrender/Permanent Revocation of certificate in 2007; convicted of molesting a former student.)
19. Father Lopez Catholic High School, Daytona Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: James E. Sinsel received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for another certificate in 2006; accused of sending a 15-year-old female student an instant message that ended with "Love ya, bye" and mailing a personal letter to a female student that contained a drawing of a diamond ring that he indicated was for "his girl" if she wanted it)
20. Flanagan High School, Pembroke Pines, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Raymond Caldes receive letter of reprimand and $500 fine in 2007; accused of staring at girls' breasts and telling students, when he was asked if he was Jewish, that he would look down his pants and check)
21. Florida Christian Institute of Academic Excellence, Fort Meyers, FL
22. Forest Hill High School, West Palm Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2007, Joel H. Drucker received letter of reprimand and two years' probation and $250 fine in 2008; accused of pulling on the label of a female student's underwear and attempting to read it. He also allegedly told two girls who were discussing the size of their breasts that "a handful is enough.")
23. Forte Meade Middle-Senior High, Polk County, Forte Meade, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Theodore A. Murray received Permanent Revocation in 2007; pleaded no contest to a criminal charge of voyeurism after he was accused of secretly filming or photographing a male student showering, dressing or using the bathroom.)
24. Fort Lauderdale High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Edward Allen Steinlauf received letter of reprimand, one year of probation, required to pay a $250 fine, and complete a college course on child development in 2008; accused of telling students about him having sex with his wife and claiming he had sex with the school's principal)
25. Garden City Elementary School, St Lucie County, FL (Restraint/Broken Arm: A child’s arm was broken during a restraint by a “behavior technician” who applied “improper techniques)
26. Gulf Elementary School, Lee County, FL (Restraint: Parent witnessed two teachers laying on top of 5 yr old child’s head)
27. Hollywood Hills High School, Hollywood, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Winston M. DeWeever received one year of suspension, two years' probation, and a $250 fine in 2007; accused of hugging and kissing a female student close to the mouth and offering to give another girl a passing grade for a "favor" that was understood to be a sex; Anthony Lalli received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of rubbing several female students on the leg, thigh or hip and touching the bras or bra straps of several fifth-grade girls)
28. Immokalee Community School, Immokalee, FL (Abuse: Teacher fired after he became drunk on field trip, kept 5 children in a locked hotel room, and verbally and physically assaulted them)
29. Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Gilbert C. Hall received letter of reprimand and two years' probation in 2006; accused of discussing with students his girlfriend's "big rack," referring to a female student as "hot," and seating girls at the front of the class so he could stare at their breasts and buttocks)
30. James S. Rickards Middle School, Oakland Park, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Roger D. Morgan received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of exchanging sexually-explicit material via e-mail with a female student and hugging and kissing her in his classroom; Stephen J. Levenson received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2007; pleaded no contest to a battery charge after he was accused of inappropriately touching four students)
Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate; accused of exchanging sexually-explicit material via e-mail with a female student and hugging and kissing her in his classroom.
31. John F. Kennedy Middle School, Riviera Beach, FL (Antoinette Pietro received letter of reprimand, two years' probation and $100 fine in 2006; accused of making sex-related comments to a seventh-rade girl, calling her a "hot hoochie heifer" and asking male students if they wanted to have sex with her)
32. Kingswood Elementary School, Hillsborough School District, FL (Arrest: Music teacher Robert Nicholson arrested for allegedly abusing a 10 yr old boy by wrapping his arms around the boy’s neck and torso, making it difficult for the child to breath. Teacher investigated twice before but not disciplined either time)
33. Kirby-Smith Middle School, Duvall County School District, Jacksonville, FL (Restraint: Teacher accused of duct taping boy to desk)
34. Lake Brantley High, Seminole County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2008, Milo Franklin Congden received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for another certificate; accused of referring to a female student as "G-string" and saying she had a "nice butt" and commenting to a female student about a female teacher's breasts)
35. Lakeland Senior High, Polk County, Lakeland, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Richard Bruce Lundahl received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2008; accused of having sex with a female student when she visited his home for music tutoring)
36. Lakeview Middle School, Orange County Schools, Winter Garden Florida (Sexual Misconduct: Vincent Gary Rains received Permanent Revocation in 2007; found guilty by the court of lewd battery on a 12-year-old male student; 2006, Todd W. Johnson, Pinar Elementary and Conway Middle, Permanent Revocation; accused of having a relationship with a former 13-year-old student that involved meeting after school sporting events, and e-mailing and calling the girl to say he loved her and wanted their friendship to grow into something more.)
37. Lake Worth Middle School, Lake Worth, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2006, James Michael Mostowy received suspension, three years' probation, and $2,000 fine in 2006; accused of an inappropriate personal relationship with a former student that included writing letters to each other, inviting her to his home to swim in his pool and giving her gifts)
38. Lantana Middle School, Palm Beach, FL (Restraint: Boy with autism restrained 89 times in 14 months)
39. Leesburg High School, Lake County, Leesburg, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2008, Brandon Hughes received letter of reprimand and $500 fine in 2008; accused of touching the genitals of an 18-year-old former student on school property while treating her for a boil on her upper, inner thigh)
40. Limestone Creek Elementary School, Jupiter, FL (Restraint)
41. Lippman Family Center, Broward County, FL (DEATH: 15 yr old Anthony Dumas died on 6/12/00 - 4 months after falling into a coma after he hung himself with a belt in an unlicensed facility that is under contract with the State of Florida Dept of Juvenile Justice; employees at the facility snapped pictures and, though he was still alive, they did NOT cut him down, instead waiting for state police to arrive on the scene.)
42. Madison Middle School, Brevard County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Benjamin Leon Gary received Five-year Revocation of certificate in 2006; accused of touching at least two girls under their shirts and on their thighs, telling a student she was pretty and had sexy lips and searching students' pockets with his hands, making them feel uncomfortable.)
43. Manatee Elementary. St. Lucie County, FL
44. McArthur High School, Hollywood, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Dana J. Sorensen received letter of reprimand and two years' probation in 2006; accused of keeping photos of nude or scantily-clad females, including students, in his classroom or on his school computer. He also allegedly made sexual comments to a female student online)
45 Miramar Elementary, Miramar, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Seth Kaplan received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of sending e-mails to a female student, discussing "inappropriate" subjects such as her virginity)
46. Monarch High School, Coconut Creek, FL (Abuse: Teacher’s aide under investigation for throwing metal chair at boy with autism)
47. Moorehead Senior High School, Moorehead County School District, FL (Seclusion Room: Special investigation found 5 seclusion rooms in district; Room 208 suspected as seclusion room)
48. New Smyrna Beach Middle School, Volusia County, New Smyrna Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2007, Paula Jean Cantrell received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of having a sexual relationship with a male student for a year and a half; David Robert Nist received letter of reprimand and $500 fine in 2007; accused of sending sex-related texts to a female student and talking online to a female student about sex and drinking)
49. North Area Abeyance Center School, Brevard County, Mims, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Jennifer A. Collins received Permanent Revocation of certificate in 2006; found guilty in a criminal court of lewd battery against a 14-year-old male student.)
50. Oak Hammock K-8, St Lucie County, FL
51. Oviedo High School, Seminole County, Ovieda, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Brian S. Wilson received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old student)
52. Palm Beach Lakes High School, Palm Beach, FL (Sexual Misconduct: James H. Wheeler received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having an "intimate physical relationship" with a female student)
53. Parkway Academy Charter High School, Miramar, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Tamorris Wooten received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate; accused of having sex with a female student. Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for a new certificate in 2008; accused of having sex with a female student)
54. Pelican Elementary School, Lee County, FL
55. Pinar Elementary School, Orange County Schools, Orlando, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2006, Todd W. Johnson received Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of having a relationship with a former 13-year-old student that involved meeting after school sporting events, and e-mailing and calling the girl to say he loved her and wanted their friendship to grow into something more.)
56. Pinellas Central Elementary, Pinellas County FL
57. Pine Ridge High, Volusia County, Deltona, FL (Sexual Misconduct Maria Claudia Velasco-Rangel received letter of reprimand and $500 fine in 2008; accused of engaging students in inappropriate discussions about sex and embarrassing students by asking them in front of the class if they were virgins)
58. Robert Hungerford Preparatory High, Orange County Schools, Kissimmee, FL (Sexual Misconduct: 2006, Thomas Solister Lee received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2006; accused of asking an 18-year-old student about having a romantic relationship with him after she graduated)
59. Rolling Green Elementary, West Palm Beach County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Carol L. Flannigan received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2008; pleaded guilty to lewd molestation. She admitted having sex with a fifth-grader in 2003)
60. Royal Palm Exceptional School, Lee County, Ft. Myers, FL (Arrest: 9 yr old girl with mental illness arrested after being taken to “time out room”)
61. Simons Career Center, Hillsboro County, Plant City, FL (Restraint and Seclusion)
62. South Seminole Middle School, Seminole County Public Schools, Cassleberry, Seminole Country (Abuse: Teacher charged with abusing 5 boys with autism multiple times)
63. Spruce Creek High, Volusia County, Port Orange, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Delana McFarland received letter of reprimand and two years' probation and required to pay a $250 fine and complete a college ethics course in 2008; accused of sending a male student text messages, calling him "cutie," "baby" and "sexie"; Christopher Thomas Kellett received letter of reprimand and $250 fine in 2006; accused of touching a student near her breast and on her stomach and leg and also hugging her several times while they were alone in an equipment room.)
64. Sunrise Elementary, Marion County Public School District, Ocala, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Darren Paul Lutz received letter of reprimand and two years' probation and required to pay a $250 fine and complete a college course on child development in 2007; accused of touching a female students' breasts while asking, "Who do you love?")
65.Three Oaks Elementary, Lee County, FL (Restraint)
66. Trafalgar Elementary School, Lee County, FL
67. University High School, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando, FL (Sexual Misconduct/License Revoked: 2008, Bradley J. Winneshiek received a Surrender/Permanent Revocation of certificate; accused of calling and e-mailing two female students to discuss his marital problems; asking a female student to dinner after she moved to another school; and having photos on his school computer of female students wearing bras or bathing suits and kissing each other in 2008.)
68. Unnamed School, Broward County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Lynn H. Rochelle received Surrender/Permanent Revocation in 2008; accused of having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old female student more than 30 years ago while teaching in Texas)
69. Unnamed School, Orange County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Cynthia Jean Bradford received Permanent Revocation and barred from applying for another certificate; accused of misconduct that included reading graphically-sexual material to students that was not part of her lesson plan in 2008)
70. Unnamed School, Pinellas County, FL (Locked Seclusion Room: 9 yr old child with “severe emotional handicaps placed in concrete 6 x 6 room)
71. Unnamed School, Polk County, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Jason Scott Hornsby received Letter of Reprimand, two years' probation and required to pay a $500 fine and complete a college course on ethics in 2008; accused of sending a female student vulgar and threatening e-mails)
72. Unnamed School, Velusia County, FL (Sexual Conduct: Paul W. Blanchfield received letter of reprimand and $350 fine in 2007; accused of hugging and kissing a 13-year-old girl in his classroom and a storage area)
73. Venice Elementary School, Sarasota County School District, Venice, FL (Abuse: Special Ed. Teacher charged with Physical Abuse of students)
74. Villas Elementary, Fort Meyers, FL
75. Warner Christian Academy, South Daytona, FL (Arrest/Sexual Abuse: Teacher Cynthia Horvath accused of repeated unlawful sexual activity with a 17 yr old boy)
76.Watkins Elementary School, Pembroke Park, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Victor Melece Chaler received letter of reprimand, three years' probation, required to pay a $500 fine, and prohibited from working with non-communicative students in 2008; accused of inappropriately touching a male student while the boy sat on his lap several times)
77. William R. Boone High School, Orange County School, Orlando, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Aaron Kurdle received letter of reprimand and two years' probation plus a $1,000 fine and a requirement to take a college course on child development; accused of making sexual comments and commenting on female students' weight and breast size in 2008; Laura Hilton received Permanent Revocation; accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student in 2007; Dang Van Dinh, Boone High received Surrender/Permanent Revocation; pleaded guilty to lewd battery on a child after acknowledging he had a sexual relationship with a student for almost a year in 2006.)
78.Winter Haven High, Polk County, Winter Haven, FL (Sexual Misconduct: Jason Wade Carter received Permanent Revocation in 2007; accused of having a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old student that included meeting her alone in his vehicle, holding her hand and kissing her on the mouth.)
Georgia
1. Alpine Psychoeducational Program, Pioneer Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), Gainesville, GA (Seclusion DEATH: Suicide by hanging)
2. Chestatee Elementary, Cummng, GA 30040 (We are happy to report this school NO LONGER USES SECLUSION ROOMS!)
3. Hephzibah Elementary School, Richmond Cty, Georgia (Abuse, Seclusion)
Illinois
1. Jefferson Elementary School, Harvard, IL (Substitute teacher convicted of aggravated battery/unlawful restraint, sentenced to two years probation, a $1500 fine and 80 hours public service; taped two children with disabilities to chairs)
2. John B. Ward Du Quoin, IL
3. Robert Frost Jr. High School, Schaumburg, IL
4. Schaumburg Township Elementary School District 54, Schaumburg, IL
Indiana
1. Fairview Elementary School, Richmond Community Schools, Wayne County, Richmond, IN (Restraint Injury)
Iowa
1. Adel Elementary School, Adel-Desoto-Minburg Community School District, Adel, IA (Seclusion)
2. Walnut Hills Elementary, Waukee, IA ( Seclusion, including one lasting 3.5 hours)
3. Waukee Elementary School, Waukee, IA
Kansas
1. Heartspring, Witchita, KS
2. Shawnee Mission School District, Shawnee Mission, KS (Abuse: KS Dept of Social & Rehabilitative Services confirmed teacher abused child in school)
3. Unified School District 480, (Sexual Abuse: Volunteer charged and prosecuted for sexual molestation in Bolger, TX was employed by district; new allegations against him have surfaced)
Kentucky
1. Crestwood Elementary School, Oldham County, KY (Seclusion: Boy with autism placed in locked closet 78 times in 11 weeks)
Louisiana
1. Hope Valley Youth Ranch, Minden, LA (DEATH: 12 yr old Alex Harris died on 9/13/05 due to dehydration; 8 individuals charged with negligent homicide)
Maryland
1. Bowling Brook Preparatory School, Keymar, MD (Restraint Death – Private School)
2. Edgemeade-Raymond A. Rogers Jr. School, Prince George County, Upper Marlboro, MD (RESTRAINT DEATH: 17 yr old Carlton Eugene Thomas died on May 2001 from cardiac arrest during a restraint)
3. Thomas S. Wooton High School, Rockville, MD (Teacher accused of distributing cocaine to students)
Massachusetts
1. Alice A. Macomber Elementary School, Westport, MA (Abuse: Two teachers charged with physically abusing a boy with autism)
2. Judge Rotenberg Education Center, Canton, MA (Also uses Electroshock)
3. Lyons Elementary School, Randolph, MA (Abuse: Teacher accused of and witnessed abusing 6 different nonverbal children with autism; to date, no charges have been filed and “no evidence of abuse has been found.”)
Michigan
1. Farley Hill Elementary, Pinckney, MI (Restraints)
2. Genesee Intermediate School District, MI
3. Lakeland Elementary School, Pinckney School District, Hamburg, MI (Restraints; Principal’s office used for seclusion room; improper arrest of special needs child)
4. Millet Learning Center , Bridgeport, MI (Restraint Death)
5. Navigator Middle School, Pickney, MI (Restraints and Seclusion)
6. Parchment High School, MI (Restraint Death)
7. Pathfinder Middle School, Pinckney, MI (Restraints and Seclusion)
8. Pinckney Elementary School, Pinckney, MI (Restraints)
9. Pinckney High School, Pickney, MI (Locked seclusion room)
Minnesota
1. Adams Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
2. Aitkin Elementary School, Aitkin School District, FL (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8 feet by 8 feet unlocked seclusion room)
3. Alden-Conger ECFE, Alden-Conger Public School District, Alden, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 unlocked seclusion rooms)
4. Andover Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)
5. Anoka High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified two seclusion rooms)
6. Armstrong Elementary School, South Washington School District, Cottage Grove, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
7. Becker Intermediate Elementary School, Becker Public School District, Becker, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked and unlocked seclusion rooms)
8. Becker Primary School, Becker Public School District, Becker, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked and unlocked seclusion rooms)
9. Bel Air Elementary School, Moundsville Public School District, New Brighton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
10. Bellaire Transition Program, N.E. Metro District 916, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
11. Bell Center School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)
12. Bird Island Elementary School, BOLD Public Schools #2534, Bird Island, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
13. Bren Road Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified “calming” room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)
14. Burnsville High, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
15. Capitol View Center Alternative Learning Program, N.E. Metro School District 916, Saint Paul, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
16. Capitol View Center, Creative Alternatives Program, N.E. Metro School District 916, Saint Paul, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
17. Cedar Mountain Elementary School, Cedar Mountain School District, Cedar Mountain, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
18. Centennial Elementary School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
19. Central Family Center, Shakopee School District, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room not currently in use)
20. Central Middle School, Columbia Heights School District, Saint Paul, MN ((Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
21. Champlin Park High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
22. Clear Springs Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)
23. Coon Rapids High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)
24. Cornelia Elementary School, Edina School District, Edina, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 4.5 feet seclusion room no longer in use)
25. Crosby Elementary, Crosby, MN (Single child restrained over 100 times; over 40 hours spent in “Time Out” Room)
26. Cuyuna Range Elementary School, Crosby-Ironton Public Schools, FL (Seclusion Rooms: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms; one room is 8 feet 2 inches, the other one is 7 feet 8 inches)
27. Dakota Ridge School, Rosemont-Apple Valley-Eagan School District, Apple Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 9 feet by 12 feet seclusion room; district cited in 2002, corrective action plan approved)
28. Eagle Creek Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
29. Edward Neill Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
30. Fergus Falls Special Ed. Coop., Fergus Falls, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room at elementary and middle school levels)
31. Fertile-Beltrami High School, Fertile Beltrami ISD 599, Fertile, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 9 feet by 15 feet seclusion room)
32. Five Lakes Elementary School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 3 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)
33. Five Lakes Junior High School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)
34. Five Lakes Senior High School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)
35. Forest Lake Area School District, Forest Lake, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion rooms in 3 elementary schools and 1 junior high school in the district)
36. Fred Moore Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
37. Gateway Level IV Program, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)
38. Golden Lake Elementary School, Centennial School District 12, Circle Pines, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked seclusion room)
39. Groveland Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)
40. Hamilton Elementary, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
41. Hidden Valley Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Savage, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
42. Highlands Elementary School, Edina School District, Edina, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8.5 feet by 9 feet seclusion room no longer in use)
43. Hillside Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Cottage Grove, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
44. Hinckley-Finlayson EBD School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)
45. Hinckley-Finlayson Elementary School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)
46. Hinckley-Finlayson High School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)
47. Hosterman Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, New Hope, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified “calming” room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)
48. Humboldt Junior High School, St. Paul, MN (Sexual Abuse: Special Education teacher allegedly had sex with 14 yr old girl with disabilities)
49. Jackson Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation found 2 seclusion rooms)
50. Kimball Area High School, Kimball School District, Kimball, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)
51. Lakeview Elementary School, Albert Lea District 241, MN (Special investigation identified 8 feet by 9 feet locked seclusion room; school cited on 10/18/06 for safety code violations due to lack of lock disengagement system and lack of sprinkler system; room stopped was not used until repairs were made; unknown whether room is still used)
52. LO Jacob Elementary, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 3 seclusion rooms)
53. Long Prairie Elementary School, Long Prairie & Grey Eagle School District 2753, Long Prairie, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 11 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
54. Marion W. Savage Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Savage, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
55. Middle River High School, Greenbush, MN (Seclusion Room: Special Investigation identified 4 foot by 4 foot unlocked seclusion room)
56. Milaca Elementary School, Milaca School District, Milaca, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked 9 feet 11 inches seclusion room and unlocked 6 feet 2 inches, by 5 feet 4 inches seclusion room in district; complaint filed 8 years ago was dismissed)
57. Milaca High School, Milaca School District, Milaca, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked 9 feet 11 inches seclusion room and unlocked 6 feet 2 inches, by 5 feet 4 inches seclusion room in district; complaint filed 8 years ago was dismissed)
58. Minnewaska Area Day Treatment Program, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked seclusion room)
59. Minnewaska Elementary School, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
60. Minnewaska High School, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
61. Monroe Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Brooklyn Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
62. Moorehead Senior High School, Moorehead Area School District, Moorehead, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 seclusion rooms – one possibly Room 208; complaint filed, results unknown)
63. Newport Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Newport, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
64. New Prague High School, New Prague School District, New Prague, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 13 feet by 11.5 feet seclusion room)
65. New Prague Middle School, New Prague School District, New Prague, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 15 feet by 30 feet seclusion room)
66. New Ulm School Grades 4-6, New Ulm School District, New Ulm, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet by 10 feet seclusion room)
67. New Ulm School Grades 7-12, New Ulm School District, New Ulm, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
68. North Branch High School, North Branch School Distrcit, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)
69. North Branch Middle School, North Brach School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)
70. North Branch Primary School, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)
71. Northdale Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
72. North Elementary School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
73. Northpoint Elementary School, Spring Lake Park School District, Spring Lake Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
74. Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinic, Rice Lake, Minneapolis, MN (RESTRAINT DEATH: 7 yr old Angelika “Angie” Arndt” died due to asphyxia during a prone restraint; death ruled a homicide)
75. Northwood Childrens' Home, Duluth, MN (RESTRAINT DEATH: 17 yr old Bobby Sue Thomas died on 8/16/96 during prone restraint)
76. Oakview Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
77. Oxbow Creek Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
78. PACT Charter School, Ramsey, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet wide by 6.5 feet long seclusion room)
79. Park Terrace Elementary School, Spring Lake Park School District, Spring Lake Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
80. Pearson Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 20 feet seclusion room)
81. Pine River-Backus Elementary School (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified school has seclusion room)
82. Pine River-Backus High School (Seclusion Room: Special investigation indentified school has seclusion room)
83. Princeton Middle School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
84. Ramsey Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
85. Red Oak Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 13 feet seclusion room)
86. Red Rock Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Woodbury, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
87. Redwood Valley High School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet 8 inches x 9 feet by 8 inches seclusion room)
88. Redwood Valley Middle School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 5 feet 3 inchess seclusion room)
89. Reed Gray Elementary School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet 6 inches by 7 feet 3 inches seclusion room)
90. Richfield Intermediate School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
91. Richfield Middle School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
92. River Valley Education Center, River Valley School District, River Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified two 10 feet by 12 feet seclusion rooms)
93. Royalton Elementary School, Royalton School District, Royalton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7.5 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
94. Rum River Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
95. Scenic Heights Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)
96. Scott Highlands Middle School, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District, Apple Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 7 feet seclusion room)
97. Sheridian Hill Elementary, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
98. Sky Oaks Elementary School, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
99. Sky View Elementary School, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District, Oakdale, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
100. Sleepy Eye School District, Sleepy Eye, MN ((Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8 feet by 15 feet “quiet room”)
101. Snail Lake Education Center, Bridges Program, Moundsview Public School District, Shoreview, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
102. Sorteberg Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
103. South Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified “calming” room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)
104. South Elementary School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
105. SUCCESS Program, Southland Independent School District 500, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 11.5 feet by 5.5 feet seclusion room)
106. Sun Path Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
107. Sunrise River Elementary School, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
108. Sweeney Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
109. Turtle Lake Elementary School, Wings Program, Moundsville Public School District, Shoreview, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
110. Vale Educational Center, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Eagan, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
111. Valley Crossing Community School, N.E. Metro School District 916, Woodbury, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
112. Valley View Elementary School, Columbia Heights School District, Bloomington, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
113. West Side Elementary School, Marshall School District, Marshall, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7 feet by 7 feet seclusion room)
114. Westwood Intermediate School, Spring Lake Park School District, Blaine, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
115. Westwood Middle School, Spring Lake Park School District, Blaine, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
116. White Bear Lake High School South Campus Program, N.E. Metro District 916, White Bear Lake, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
Missouri
1. Heartland Christian Academy, Bethel, MO (Boot Camp with known history of employing sex offenders and not “sparing the rod.”)
2. North Mercer R3, Mercer, MO (Seclusion Room: Closet converted to seclusion room)
3. Underwood Elementary School, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Lee’s Summit, MO (Seclusion: Child kept in closet for most of a month)
Nevada
1. Reed Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV (Abuse: Teacher charged with 5 counts felony child abuse; allegedly pinched, pushed, and otherwise abused children with autism)
New Jersey
1. A. Russel Knight, Cherry Hill School District, Cherry Hill, NJ (Padded closet for seclusion and use of physical restraints)
2. Bancroft School, Haddonfield, NJ (Residential Facility - death)
3. Clara Barton School, Cherry Hill School District, Cherry Hill, NJ (Seclusion/Padded Room)
4. Cooper Hill Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ (Restraint)
5. Kilmer School, Cherry Hill, NJ
6. Kingston Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ
7. Thomas Paine Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ (Seclusion)
8. Three Bridges School, Readington School District, Hunterdon County, NJ (Abuse/Restraint)
New York
1. Anderson School, Dutchess County, Staatsburg, NY (Abuse and Neglect of child with Autism)
2. Buffalo School #67, Buffalo, NY (Sexual Abuse)
3. Hicksville School System, Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) Center, Nassau County, NY (Seclusion in 5’ by 6’ “timeout chamber”)
4. Lanigan Elementary School, Fulton, NY (Abuse: Special Education Teacher charged with striking two children with disabilities; charges dismissed)
5. O.D. Heck Development Center, Schenectady, NY (DEATH: Suffocation of a boy with autism during Restraint)
6. Mahopac Falls Elementary, Bridge Program, Mahopac Falls School District, Mahopac, NY (Sexual and Verbal Abuse, Falsification of Records)
7. Public School 43, Rochester, NY (Abuse: Parents of special education students received 2 sentence letter stating children may have been abused; no further information provided to parents)
8. Public School 81, Ridgewood, NY (Restraint: 5 yr old boy with autism arrested)
9. Wayne Finger Lake, Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) Center, Wayne County, NY (Seclusion in “Time Out” Room)
New Mexico
1. Chaparral Elementary, Santa Fe Schools, Santa Fe, NM (Restraint: Teaching intern charged with duct taping students’ mouths, then later tying 2 students to chairs)
North Carolina
1. Carroll Middle School, Raleigh, NC (Restraint/Abuse/Lawsuit: The Disability Rights Network filed suit, stating children with autism were being improperly restrained, handcuffed, and students returned home with unexplained bruises)
2. East McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC (Restraint: 14 yr old boy with autism restrained with belt and led around school “on a leash” on at least 3 occasions)
3. Hasty Elementary School, Davidson County, NC (Seclusion Room: School reported to have and use padded seclusion room)
4. Hope Valley Elementary School, Durham Public Schools, Durham, North Carolina (Therapist Accused of Taping Shut Boy's Mouth)
5. Welcome Elementary, Davidson County, NC (Seclusion Room: School reported to have and use padded seclusion room)
Ohio
1. C.O. Harrison Elementary School, Oak Hills School District, Cincinnati, OH (Restraint: Boy with ADHD restrained and sent to hospital psych ward without parental notification; Seclusion: “Safe Room”)
2. Violet Elementary School, Pickerington Local School district, Pickerington, OH (Abuse: Physical therapist witnessed educational aide threaten to hit a 9 yr old girl with hearing impairment, mental retardation, behavioral “problems” and speech delay in the head with a rolling cart, put her foot on the girl’s back, roll her over onto her stomach then put her in a “straight jacket” hold to forcibly remove her from the classroom; incident started when 9 yr old girl refused to stop sitting on top of a desk)
Oklahoma
1. High Pointe, Oklahoma City, OK (Death: Failure to provide adequate care)
Oregon
1. Oak Ridge Elementary School, Oak Ridge School District, Oak Ridge, OR (Restraint: Teacher placed on paid leave for taping 9 yr old boy to chair)
Pennsylvania
1. Artman Elementary School (K-3), Hermitage School District, Hermitage, PA
2. Hutchinson Elementary School, Laurel Highlands School District, Uniontown, PA (Restraint and Seclusion of child with autism/epilepsy)
3. Intermediate Elementary School, Poconos, PA (Seclusion: District and their attorneys denied in writing having “time out rooms,” but finally admitted to them. District insists the room is used “appropriately; however, girl with autism sent to room so frequently, she calls it “her office,” while her brother with autism is placed in room frequently for long periods)
4. Longstreth Elementary School, Philiadelphia School District, Philadelphia PA (Restraints)
5. Martha Washington Elementary, Philadelphia, PA (Abuse)
6. Moniteau High School, Butler, PA (Sexual Abuse: Basketball Coach and Substitute teacher Matthew Goettler charged with sexual abuse of male students with “hat of dares” game, that included daring children to drink urine, streaking, encouraging them to remove their clothing and join him in a hot tub; also sent out sexual text messages)
7. Northern Potter Children's School, Potter County, PA
8. SummitQuest Academy Ephrata, PA (Residential Facility)
9. Woods Services, Langhorne, PA (Residential Facility) (Abuse and Neglect from Excessive use of Restraints)
10. YMCA, Connellsville, PA (Day Care/Preschool) (Chemical Restraints/Physical Restraints: PA Department of Public Welfare confirmed workers were giving children as young as age 3 (some with disabilities such as autism) alum, a food preservative that when ingested causes gastrointestinal distress and flulike symptoms as a form of discipline; some children may also have been physically restrained either in the process or as another form of discipline)
Rhode Island
1. Block Island School, New Shoreham School District, New Shoreham, RI (Seclusion: Concrete seclusion room in basement of school)
South Carolina
1. Liberty Hill Academy, Charleston, SC
Tennessee
1. Beech Elementary School, Sumner County School District Hendersonville, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
2. Benny Bills Elementary School, Sumner County School District, Gallatin, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
3. Bon Lind Elementary School, TN (Seclusion/Time Out Room: 12 yr old boy diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome found sitting in his own excrement after being left in time out room)
4. Chad Youth Enhancement Center, Ashland City, TN (RESTRAINT DEATHS; Prone Restraint; Strangulation; Abuse; Rape: 14 yr old Linda Harris died after being restrained by a male staffer who’d collapsed on top of her; 16 yr old Omega Leach killed by male staff member, by suspected prone restraint along with signs of strangulation – death ruled homicide; 16 yr old Boy strangled by aide who’d lifted him up off the floor against a wall until other staffers pulled aide off of him; Reports indicate average of up to 10 restraints per day; 13 yr old boy raped by fellow resident; numerous hospitalizations for injuries sustained during restraints)
5. Clyde Riggs Elementary School, Sumner County School District, Portland, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
6. Compass Intervention Center (Sexual Abuse; Restraints; Physical/Verbal Abuse: Male staffers reportedly have made sexual comments to female residents; staffers reported “slamming” residents; multiple restraint injuries; residents denied basic necessities such as food and water)
7. Genesis Academy, Nashville, TN
8. George Whitten Elementary School, Sumner County School District, Hendersonville, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
9. Howard Schools, Gallatin, TN (Restraint/Seclusion)
10. Joseph Brown Elementary School, Maury County Public School System, Columbia, TN (Seclusion Room: 9 year old boy with ADHD/ODD was stripped to his underwear and placed in a room with no interior handle and construction paper over the windows; Judge ruled procedure LEGAL)
11. Learn Center, Anderson County Schools, Clinton, TN (Restraint: 9 yr old boy with autism injured by improperly administered restraint; child strapped down and denied food for 4 hours while mother was refused access to crying child)
12. Madison Schools, Madison, TN (Restraint/Seclusion)
13. Metro Schools, Davidson County, TN (Sexual Abuse/Assault/Federal Investigation/Justice Dept: 11 yr old girl with autism sexually assaulted on bus right behind bus driver, 9 yr old boy with disabilities molested by 19 yr old boy with disabilities on bus)
14. Murrell Schools, Nashville, TN (Restraint/Seclusion)
15. Oakmont Elementary, Dickenson County, TN (Prone restraint of boy with autism)
16. Portland Middle School, Sumner County School District, Portland, TN (Restraint/Seclusion)
17. R. T. Fisher Alternative School, Gallatin, TN (Seclusion/Time Out Rooms: Secure rooms used to “isolate unruly students”; instead of locks, rooms are closed by “latches” to keep children inside)
18. Rucker Stewart Middle School, Sumner County School District, Gallatin, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
19. T. W. Hunter Middle School, Sumner County School District, Hendersonville, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
20. Williamson County Public Schools, Williamson County (Seclusion of boy with autism multiple times for approximately 3 hours)
Texas
1. Andrews Elementary School, Austin, TX (Abuse: Substitute teacher suspected of physically abusing pre-K boy with autism)
2. Athens Middle School, Athens TX (Abuse)
3. Brookhaven Youth Ranch, West, TX (RESTRAINT DEATH: 15 yr old Anthony Green died on 5/21/91 due to asphyxiation during a 15 minute prone restraint)
4. Cold Springs Correctional Facility, Mansfield Boot Camp, Fort Worth, TX (18 yr old Bryan Dale Alexander died in 2001 due to pneumonia and lack of proper medical care; CSC and a nurse convicted of negligent homicide)
5. Healthcare Rehabilitation Center, Austin, TX (RESTRAINT DEATH: 18 yr old Brandon Hadden died in 1988 when he choked on his own vomit while restrained face down while in a straight jacket)
6. Jim Ned High School, Tuscola, TX (Sexual Abuse: Male Teacher charged with attempted improper relationship between an educator and three different female students; allegedly offered better grade for sex)
7. Manor Middle School, Killeen, TX (Restraint Death)
8..Mason Middle School, Killeen, TX (Restraint Death)
9. Old Union Elementary School, Southlake, TX (Investigative report: District’s law firm finds testing-procedure violations, misuse of restraining holds on children and a hostile work environment)
10. Progressive Youth Center, Houston, TX (RESTRAINT DEATH: 17 yr old Bobby Joe Randolph died on 9/26/96 of asphyxia during a two-person restraint; death ruled homicide)
Utah
1. Achieving a Better Life, Chubbuck, UT (DEATH: 2 yr old Cameron Hamilton died on 12/5/05 of severe head trauma; 1st degree murder charges filed)
2. Foothill Elementary School, Brigham City, UT, Box Elder County (Restraint/Seclusion)
3. Youth Care of Utah, Draper, UT (DEATH: 14 yr old Brendan Bloom died on 6/28/07 as a result of complications from an untreated bowel obstruction; two counselors were fired and charged with child neglect)
Vermont
1. Bennington Elementary, Southern Vermont Supervisory Union, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
2. Catamount Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint) (School closed due to district consolidation)
3. Molly Stark Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
4. Monument Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
5. St. Anthony’s School, Burlington, VT (Restraint)
Virginia
1. Clover Hill Elementary School, Chesterfield County, VA (Restraint)
2. Falling Branch Elementary School, Christiansonburg, VA (Abuse: Teacher’s aide accused of bruising 6 yr old child in special needs class)
3. Hopkins Elementary School, Richmond, VA (Restraint of boy in Kindergarten)
4. Liberty Middle School, Fairfax, VA (Restraint: Child’s feet duct-taped)
Washington
1. Syre Elementary School, BRITE Program, Shoreline School District, Shoreline, Washington (Restraint/Seclusion/Time Out Rooms: Isolation Room with carpeted walls and a door that can be secured from the outside by holding the handle down in the lock position. Once the handle is released to neutral position the door is unlocked; Quiet Room with carpeted walls but no door where staff will restrain using 1-2 staff members by pinning their bodies over the student's body either against the wall or flat on the floor; Basket and cross holds also used)
West Virginia
1. Elkins Third Ward Elementary School, Randolph County School System, (Restraint/Abuse: 11 yr old boy with Down’s Syndrome and Seizure Disorder strapped to an Easy Stander Chair)
2. New Haven Elementary Preschool, Mason County School District, WV (Physical/Emotional Abuse)
3. Riverside High School, Kanawha County, WV (Sexual Abuse: Teenage girl with emotional and intellectual disabilities allegedly raped twice by male student in high school bathroom)
Wisconsin
1. Coolidge Elementary School, Neenah, WI (Abuse: Parents pulls children with special needs from school citing injuries)
2. Red Apple Elementary School Racine, WI
3. Unified School District 480, (Sexual Abuse: Volunteer charged and prosecuted for sexual molestation in Bolger, TX was employed by district; new allegations against him have surfaced)
Kentucky
1. Crestwood Elementary School, Oldham County, KY (Seclusion: Boy with autism placed in locked closet 78 times in 11 weeks)
Louisiana
1. Hope Valley Youth Ranch, Minden, LA (DEATH: 12 yr old Alex Harris died on 9/13/05 due to dehydration; 8 individuals charged with negligent homicide)
Maryland
1. Bowling Brook Preparatory School, Keymar, MD (Restraint Death – Private School)
2. Edgemeade-Raymond A. Rogers Jr. School, Prince George County, Upper Marlboro, MD (RESTRAINT DEATH: 17 yr old Carlton Eugene Thomas died on May 2001 from cardiac arrest during a restraint)
3. Thomas S. Wooton High School, Rockville, MD (Teacher accused of distributing cocaine to students)
Massachusetts
1. Alice A. Macomber Elementary School, Westport, MA (Abuse: Two teachers charged with physically abusing a boy with autism)
2. Judge Rotenberg Education Center, Canton, MA (Also uses Electroshock)
3. Lyons Elementary School, Randolph, MA (Abuse: Teacher accused of and witnessed abusing 6 different nonverbal children with autism; to date, no charges have been filed and “no evidence of abuse has been found.”)
Michigan
1. Farley Hill Elementary, Pinckney, MI (Restraints)
2. Genesee Intermediate School District, MI
3. Lakeland Elementary School, Pinckney School District, Hamburg, MI (Restraints; Principal’s office used for seclusion room; improper arrest of special needs child)
4. Millet Learning Center , Bridgeport, MI (Restraint Death)
5. Navigator Middle School, Pickney, MI (Restraints and Seclusion)
6. Parchment High School, MI (Restraint Death)
7. Pathfinder Middle School, Pinckney, MI (Restraints and Seclusion)
8. Pinckney Elementary School, Pinckney, MI (Restraints)
9. Pinckney High School, Pickney, MI (Locked seclusion room)
Minnesota
1. Adams Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
2. Aitkin Elementary School, Aitkin School District, FL (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8 feet by 8 feet unlocked seclusion room)
3. Alden-Conger ECFE, Alden-Conger Public School District, Alden, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 unlocked seclusion rooms)
4. Andover Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)
5. Anoka High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified two seclusion rooms)
6. Armstrong Elementary School, South Washington School District, Cottage Grove, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
7. Becker Intermediate Elementary School, Becker Public School District, Becker, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked and unlocked seclusion rooms)
8. Becker Primary School, Becker Public School District, Becker, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked and unlocked seclusion rooms)
9. Bel Air Elementary School, Moundsville Public School District, New Brighton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
10. Bellaire Transition Program, N.E. Metro District 916, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
11. Bell Center School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)
12. Bird Island Elementary School, BOLD Public Schools #2534, Bird Island, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
13. Bren Road Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified “calming” room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)
14. Burnsville High, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
15. Capitol View Center Alternative Learning Program, N.E. Metro School District 916, Saint Paul, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
16. Capitol View Center, Creative Alternatives Program, N.E. Metro School District 916, Saint Paul, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
17. Cedar Mountain Elementary School, Cedar Mountain School District, Cedar Mountain, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
18. Centennial Elementary School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
19. Central Family Center, Shakopee School District, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room not currently in use)
20. Central Middle School, Columbia Heights School District, Saint Paul, MN ((Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
21. Champlin Park High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
22. Clear Springs Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)
23. Coon Rapids High School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms)
24. Cornelia Elementary School, Edina School District, Edina, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 4.5 feet seclusion room no longer in use)
25. Crosby Elementary, Crosby, MN (Single child restrained over 100 times; over 40 hours spent in “Time Out” Room)
26. Cuyuna Range Elementary School, Crosby-Ironton Public Schools, FL (Seclusion Rooms: Special investigation identified 2 seclusion rooms; one room is 8 feet 2 inches, the other one is 7 feet 8 inches)
27. Dakota Ridge School, Rosemont-Apple Valley-Eagan School District, Apple Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 9 feet by 12 feet seclusion room; district cited in 2002, corrective action plan approved)
28. Eagle Creek Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
29. Edward Neill Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
30. Fergus Falls Special Ed. Coop., Fergus Falls, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room at elementary and middle school levels)
31. Fertile-Beltrami High School, Fertile Beltrami ISD 599, Fertile, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 9 feet by 15 feet seclusion room)
32. Five Lakes Elementary School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 3 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)
33. Five Lakes Junior High School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)
34. Five Lakes Senior High School, Fairmont School District, Fairmont, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 2 9 feet by 6 feet seclusion rooms)
35. Forest Lake Area School District, Forest Lake, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion rooms in 3 elementary schools and 1 junior high school in the district)
36. Fred Moore Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
37. Gateway Level IV Program, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)
38. Golden Lake Elementary School, Centennial School District 12, Circle Pines, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked seclusion room)
39. Groveland Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)
40. Hamilton Elementary, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
41. Hidden Valley Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Savage, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
42. Highlands Elementary School, Edina School District, Edina, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8.5 feet by 9 feet seclusion room no longer in use)
43. Hillside Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Cottage Grove, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
44. Hinckley-Finlayson EBD School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)
45. Hinckley-Finlayson Elementary School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)
46. Hinckley-Finlayson High School, Hinckley-Finlayson School District, Hinckley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 50 feet by 50 feet seclusion room)
47. Hosterman Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, New Hope, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified “calming” room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)
48. Humboldt Junior High School, St. Paul, MN (Sexual Abuse: Special Education teacher allegedly had sex with 14 yr old girl with disabilities)
49. Jackson Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation found 2 seclusion rooms)
50. Kimball Area High School, Kimball School District, Kimball, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)
51. Lakeview Elementary School, Albert Lea District 241, MN (Special investigation identified 8 feet by 9 feet locked seclusion room; school cited on 10/18/06 for safety code violations due to lack of lock disengagement system and lack of sprinkler system; room stopped was not used until repairs were made; unknown whether room is still used)
52. LO Jacob Elementary, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 3 seclusion rooms)
53. Long Prairie Elementary School, Long Prairie & Grey Eagle School District 2753, Long Prairie, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 11 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
54. Marion W. Savage Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Savage, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
55. Middle River High School, Greenbush, MN (Seclusion Room: Special Investigation identified 4 foot by 4 foot unlocked seclusion room)
56. Milaca Elementary School, Milaca School District, Milaca, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked 9 feet 11 inches seclusion room and unlocked 6 feet 2 inches, by 5 feet 4 inches seclusion room in district; complaint filed 8 years ago was dismissed)
57. Milaca High School, Milaca School District, Milaca, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked 9 feet 11 inches seclusion room and unlocked 6 feet 2 inches, by 5 feet 4 inches seclusion room in district; complaint filed 8 years ago was dismissed)
58. Minnewaska Area Day Treatment Program, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified locked seclusion room)
59. Minnewaska Elementary School, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
60. Minnewaska High School, Minnewaska School District, Minnewaska, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
61. Monroe Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Brooklyn Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
62. Moorehead Senior High School, Moorehead Area School District, Moorehead, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 seclusion rooms – one possibly Room 208; complaint filed, results unknown)
63. Newport Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Newport, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
64. New Prague High School, New Prague School District, New Prague, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 13 feet by 11.5 feet seclusion room)
65. New Prague Middle School, New Prague School District, New Prague, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 15 feet by 30 feet seclusion room)
66. New Ulm School Grades 4-6, New Ulm School District, New Ulm, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet by 10 feet seclusion room)
67. New Ulm School Grades 7-12, New Ulm School District, New Ulm, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
68. North Branch High School, North Branch School Distrcit, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)
69. North Branch Middle School, North Brach School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)
70. North Branch Primary School, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6x8, 8x8, 8x10, 10x12, 10x14, 23x10 seclusion rooms throughout district)
71. Northdale Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
72. North Elementary School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
73. Northpoint Elementary School, Spring Lake Park School District, Spring Lake Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
74. Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinic, Rice Lake, Minneapolis, MN (RESTRAINT DEATH: 7 yr old Angelika “Angie” Arndt” died due to asphyxia during a prone restraint; death ruled a homicide)
75. Northwood Childrens' Home, Duluth, MN (RESTRAINT DEATH: 17 yr old Bobby Sue Thomas died on 8/16/96 during prone restraint)
76. Oakview Middle School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
77. Oxbow Creek Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Champlin, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
78. PACT Charter School, Ramsey, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet wide by 6.5 feet long seclusion room)
79. Park Terrace Elementary School, Spring Lake Park School District, Spring Lake Park, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
80. Pearson Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 20 feet seclusion room)
81. Pine River-Backus Elementary School (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified school has seclusion room)
82. Pine River-Backus High School (Seclusion Room: Special investigation indentified school has seclusion room)
83. Princeton Middle School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
84. Ramsey Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Anoka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
85. Red Oak Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 10 feet by 13 feet seclusion room)
86. Red Rock Elementary School, South Washington County School District, Woodbury, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
87. Redwood Valley High School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet 8 inches x 9 feet by 8 inches seclusion room)
88. Redwood Valley Middle School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 5 feet 3 inchess seclusion room)
89. Reed Gray Elementary School, Redwood School District, Redwood, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 7 feet 6 inches by 7 feet 3 inches seclusion room)
90. Richfield Intermediate School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
91. Richfield Middle School, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
92. River Valley Education Center, River Valley School District, River Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified two 10 feet by 12 feet seclusion rooms)
93. Royalton Elementary School, Royalton School District, Royalton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7.5 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
94. Rum River Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
95. Scenic Heights Elementary School, Minnetonka School District, Minnetonka, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 6 feet by 6 feet seclusion room)
96. Scott Highlands Middle School, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District, Apple Valley, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 7 feet seclusion room)
97. Sheridian Hill Elementary, Richfield School District, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 5 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet seclusion room)
98. Sky Oaks Elementary School, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Burnsville, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
99. Sky View Elementary School, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District, Oakdale, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
100. Sleepy Eye School District, Sleepy Eye, MN ((Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 8 feet by 15 feet “quiet room”)
101. Snail Lake Education Center, Bridges Program, Moundsview Public School District, Shoreview, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
102. Sorteberg Elementary School, Anoka-Henepin School District, Andover, MN (Seclusion room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
103. South Education Center, Intermediate School District 287, Richfield, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified “calming” room; district cited in 2005 for failure to properly incorporate the use of time-out for seclusion into students IEP, failure to properly document amount of time student spent in time out, kept student in time out in excess of 15 minutes and denied student access to water, failure to provide a well ventilated room for time out. Corrective action was implemented.)
104. South Elementary School, Princeton School District, Princeton, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
105. SUCCESS Program, Southland Independent School District 500, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 11.5 feet by 5.5 feet seclusion room)
106. Sun Path Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
107. Sunrise River Elementary School, North Branch School District, North Branch, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
108. Sweeney Elementary School, Shakopee District 720, Shakopee, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified 6 feet by 8 feet seclusion room)
109. Turtle Lake Elementary School, Wings Program, Moundsville Public School District, Shoreview, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
110. Vale Educational Center, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Dist. 191, Eagan, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
111. Valley Crossing Community School, N.E. Metro School District 916, Woodbury, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
112. Valley View Elementary School, Columbia Heights School District, Bloomington, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked seclusion room)
113. West Side Elementary School, Marshall School District, Marshall, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified unlocked 7 feet by 7 feet seclusion room)
114. Westwood Intermediate School, Spring Lake Park School District, Blaine, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
115. Westwood Middle School, Spring Lake Park School District, Blaine, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
116. White Bear Lake High School South Campus Program, N.E. Metro District 916, White Bear Lake, MN (Seclusion Room: Special investigation identified seclusion room)
Missouri
1. Heartland Christian Academy, Bethel, MO (Boot Camp with known history of employing sex offenders and not “sparing the rod.”)
2. North Mercer R3, Mercer, MO (Seclusion Room: Closet converted to seclusion room)
3. Underwood Elementary School, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Lee’s Summit, MO (Seclusion: Child kept in closet for most of a month)
Nevada
1. Reed Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV (Abuse: Teacher charged with 5 counts felony child abuse; allegedly pinched, pushed, and otherwise abused children with autism)
New Jersey
1. A. Russel Knight, Cherry Hill School District, Cherry Hill, NJ (Padded closet for seclusion and use of physical restraints)
2. Bancroft School, Haddonfield, NJ (Residential Facility - death)
3. Clara Barton School, Cherry Hill School District, Cherry Hill, NJ (Seclusion/Padded Room)
4. Cooper Hill Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ (Restraint)
5. Kilmer School, Cherry Hill, NJ
6. Kingston Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ
7. Thomas Paine Elementary School, Cherry Hill, NJ (Seclusion)
8. Three Bridges School, Readington School District, Hunterdon County, NJ (Abuse/Restraint)
New York
1. Anderson School, Dutchess County, Staatsburg, NY (Abuse and Neglect of child with Autism)
2. Buffalo School #67, Buffalo, NY (Sexual Abuse)
3. Hicksville School System, Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) Center, Nassau County, NY (Seclusion in 5’ by 6’ “timeout chamber”)
4. Lanigan Elementary School, Fulton, NY (Abuse: Special Education Teacher charged with striking two children with disabilities; charges dismissed)
5. O.D. Heck Development Center, Schenectady, NY (DEATH: Suffocation of a boy with autism during Restraint)
6. Mahopac Falls Elementary, Bridge Program, Mahopac Falls School District, Mahopac, NY (Sexual and Verbal Abuse, Falsification of Records)
7. Public School 43, Rochester, NY (Abuse: Parents of special education students received 2 sentence letter stating children may have been abused; no further information provided to parents)
8. Public School 81, Ridgewood, NY (Restraint: 5 yr old boy with autism arrested)
9. Wayne Finger Lake, Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) Center, Wayne County, NY (Seclusion in “Time Out” Room)
New Mexico
1. Chaparral Elementary, Santa Fe Schools, Santa Fe, NM (Restraint: Teaching intern charged with duct taping students’ mouths, then later tying 2 students to chairs)
North Carolina
1. Carroll Middle School, Raleigh, NC (Restraint/Abuse/Lawsuit: The Disability Rights Network filed suit, stating children with autism were being improperly restrained, handcuffed, and students returned home with unexplained bruises)
2. East McDowell Junior High, Marion, NC (Restraint: 14 yr old boy with autism restrained with belt and led around school “on a leash” on at least 3 occasions)
3. Hasty Elementary School, Davidson County, NC (Seclusion Room: School reported to have and use padded seclusion room)
4. Hope Valley Elementary School, Durham Public Schools, Durham, North Carolina (Therapist Accused of Taping Shut Boy's Mouth)
5. Welcome Elementary, Davidson County, NC (Seclusion Room: School reported to have and use padded seclusion room)
Ohio
1. C.O. Harrison Elementary School, Oak Hills School District, Cincinnati, OH (Restraint: Boy with ADHD restrained and sent to hospital psych ward without parental notification; Seclusion: “Safe Room”)
2. Violet Elementary School, Pickerington Local School district, Pickerington, OH (Abuse: Physical therapist witnessed educational aide threaten to hit a 9 yr old girl with hearing impairment, mental retardation, behavioral “problems” and speech delay in the head with a rolling cart, put her foot on the girl’s back, roll her over onto her stomach then put her in a “straight jacket” hold to forcibly remove her from the classroom; incident started when 9 yr old girl refused to stop sitting on top of a desk)
Oklahoma
1. High Pointe, Oklahoma City, OK (Death: Failure to provide adequate care)
Oregon
1. Oak Ridge Elementary School, Oak Ridge School District, Oak Ridge, OR (Restraint: Teacher placed on paid leave for taping 9 yr old boy to chair)
Pennsylvania
1. Artman Elementary School (K-3), Hermitage School District, Hermitage, PA
2. Hutchinson Elementary School, Laurel Highlands School District, Uniontown, PA (Restraint and Seclusion of child with autism/epilepsy)
3. Intermediate Elementary School, Poconos, PA (Seclusion: District and their attorneys denied in writing having “time out rooms,” but finally admitted to them. District insists the room is used “appropriately; however, girl with autism sent to room so frequently, she calls it “her office,” while her brother with autism is placed in room frequently for long periods)
4. Longstreth Elementary School, Philiadelphia School District, Philadelphia PA (Restraints)
5. Martha Washington Elementary, Philadelphia, PA (Abuse)
6. Moniteau High School, Butler, PA (Sexual Abuse: Basketball Coach and Substitute teacher Matthew Goettler charged with sexual abuse of male students with “hat of dares” game, that included daring children to drink urine, streaking, encouraging them to remove their clothing and join him in a hot tub; also sent out sexual text messages)
7. Northern Potter Children's School, Potter County, PA
8. SummitQuest Academy Ephrata, PA (Residential Facility)
9. Woods Services, Langhorne, PA (Residential Facility) (Abuse and Neglect from Excessive use of Restraints)
10. YMCA, Connellsville, PA (Day Care/Preschool) (Chemical Restraints/Physical Restraints: PA Department of Public Welfare confirmed workers were giving children as young as age 3 (some with disabilities such as autism) alum, a food preservative that when ingested causes gastrointestinal distress and flulike symptoms as a form of discipline; some children may also have been physically restrained either in the process or as another form of discipline)
Rhode Island
1. Block Island School, New Shoreham School District, New Shoreham, RI (Seclusion: Concrete seclusion room in basement of school)
South Carolina
1. Liberty Hill Academy, Charleston, SC
Tennessee
1. Beech Elementary School, Sumner County School District Hendersonville, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
2. Benny Bills Elementary School, Sumner County School District, Gallatin, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
3. Bon Lind Elementary School, TN (Seclusion/Time Out Room: 12 yr old boy diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome found sitting in his own excrement after being left in time out room)
4. Chad Youth Enhancement Center, Ashland City, TN (RESTRAINT DEATHS; Prone Restraint; Strangulation; Abuse; Rape: 14 yr old Linda Harris died after being restrained by a male staffer who’d collapsed on top of her; 16 yr old Omega Leach killed by male staff member, by suspected prone restraint along with signs of strangulation – death ruled homicide; 16 yr old Boy strangled by aide who’d lifted him up off the floor against a wall until other staffers pulled aide off of him; Reports indicate average of up to 10 restraints per day; 13 yr old boy raped by fellow resident; numerous hospitalizations for injuries sustained during restraints)
5. Clyde Riggs Elementary School, Sumner County School District, Portland, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
6. Compass Intervention Center (Sexual Abuse; Restraints; Physical/Verbal Abuse: Male staffers reportedly have made sexual comments to female residents; staffers reported “slamming” residents; multiple restraint injuries; residents denied basic necessities such as food and water)
7. Genesis Academy, Nashville, TN
8. George Whitten Elementary School, Sumner County School District, Hendersonville, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
9. Howard Schools, Gallatin, TN (Restraint/Seclusion)
10. Joseph Brown Elementary School, Maury County Public School System, Columbia, TN (Seclusion Room: 9 year old boy with ADHD/ODD was stripped to his underwear and placed in a room with no interior handle and construction paper over the windows; Judge ruled procedure LEGAL)
11. Learn Center, Anderson County Schools, Clinton, TN (Restraint: 9 yr old boy with autism injured by improperly administered restraint; child strapped down and denied food for 4 hours while mother was refused access to crying child)
12. Madison Schools, Madison, TN (Restraint/Seclusion)
13. Metro Schools, Davidson County, TN (Sexual Abuse/Assault/Federal Investigation/Justice Dept: 11 yr old girl with autism sexually assaulted on bus right behind bus driver, 9 yr old boy with disabilities molested by 19 yr old boy with disabilities on bus)
14. Murrell Schools, Nashville, TN (Restraint/Seclusion)
15. Oakmont Elementary, Dickenson County, TN (Prone restraint of boy with autism)
16. Portland Middle School, Sumner County School District, Portland, TN (Restraint/Seclusion)
17. R. T. Fisher Alternative School, Gallatin, TN (Seclusion/Time Out Rooms: Secure rooms used to “isolate unruly students”; instead of locks, rooms are closed by “latches” to keep children inside)
18. Rucker Stewart Middle School, Sumner County School District, Gallatin, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
19. T. W. Hunter Middle School, Sumner County School District, Hendersonville, TN (Restraints/Seclusions)
20. Williamson County Public Schools, Williamson County (Seclusion of boy with autism multiple times for approximately 3 hours)
Texas
1. Andrews Elementary School, Austin, TX (Abuse: Substitute teacher suspected of physically abusing pre-K boy with autism)
2. Athens Middle School, Athens TX (Abuse)
3. Brookhaven Youth Ranch, West, TX (RESTRAINT DEATH: 15 yr old Anthony Green died on 5/21/91 due to asphyxiation during a 15 minute prone restraint)
4. Cold Springs Correctional Facility, Mansfield Boot Camp, Fort Worth, TX (18 yr old Bryan Dale Alexander died in 2001 due to pneumonia and lack of proper medical care; CSC and a nurse convicted of negligent homicide)
5. Healthcare Rehabilitation Center, Austin, TX (RESTRAINT DEATH: 18 yr old Brandon Hadden died in 1988 when he choked on his own vomit while restrained face down while in a straight jacket)
6. Jim Ned High School, Tuscola, TX (Sexual Abuse: Male Teacher charged with attempted improper relationship between an educator and three different female students; allegedly offered better grade for sex)
7. Manor Middle School, Killeen, TX (Restraint Death)
8..Mason Middle School, Killeen, TX (Restraint Death)
9. Old Union Elementary School, Southlake, TX (Investigative report: District’s law firm finds testing-procedure violations, misuse of restraining holds on children and a hostile work environment)
10. Progressive Youth Center, Houston, TX (RESTRAINT DEATH: 17 yr old Bobby Joe Randolph died on 9/26/96 of asphyxia during a two-person restraint; death ruled homicide)
Utah
1. Achieving a Better Life, Chubbuck, UT (DEATH: 2 yr old Cameron Hamilton died on 12/5/05 of severe head trauma; 1st degree murder charges filed)
2. Foothill Elementary School, Brigham City, UT, Box Elder County (Restraint/Seclusion)
3. Youth Care of Utah, Draper, UT (DEATH: 14 yr old Brendan Bloom died on 6/28/07 as a result of complications from an untreated bowel obstruction; two counselors were fired and charged with child neglect)
Vermont
1. Bennington Elementary, Southern Vermont Supervisory Union, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
2. Catamount Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint) (School closed due to district consolidation)
3. Molly Stark Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
4. Monument Elementary, Bennington, VT (Restraint)
5. St. Anthony’s School, Burlington, VT (Restraint)
Virginia
1. Clover Hill Elementary School, Chesterfield County, VA (Restraint)
2. Falling Branch Elementary School, Christiansonburg, VA (Abuse: Teacher’s aide accused of bruising 6 yr old child in special needs class)
3. Hopkins Elementary School, Richmond, VA (Restraint of boy in Kindergarten)
4. Liberty Middle School, Fairfax, VA (Restraint: Child’s feet duct-taped)
Washington
1. Syre Elementary School, BRITE Program, Shoreline School District, Shoreline, Washington (Restraint/Seclusion/Time Out Rooms: Isolation Room with carpeted walls and a door that can be secured from the outside by holding the handle down in the lock position. Once the handle is released to neutral position the door is unlocked; Quiet Room with carpeted walls but no door where staff will restrain using 1-2 staff members by pinning their bodies over the student's body either against the wall or flat on the floor; Basket and cross holds also used)
West Virginia
1. Elkins Third Ward Elementary School, Randolph County School System, (Restraint/Abuse: 11 yr old boy with Down’s Syndrome and Seizure Disorder strapped to an Easy Stander Chair)
2. New Haven Elementary Preschool, Mason County School District, WV (Physical/Emotional Abuse)
3. Riverside High School, Kanawha County, WV (Sexual Abuse: Teenage girl with emotional and intellectual disabilities allegedly raped twice by male student in high school bathroom)
Wisconsin
1. Coolidge Elementary School, Neenah, WI (Abuse: Parents pulls children with special needs from school citing injuries)
2. Red Apple Elementary School Racine, WI
Friday, October 2, 2009
AZ: New Push to Stop Corporal Punishment in Schools Sparks Debate
http://www.kswt.com/Global/story.asp?S=11250370
October 2, 2009 Yuma, AZ -- There's a new push to eliminate corporal punishment in Arizona schools, but one local school is standing behind it's use of paddling.
"A lot of our parents bring their students here because they support strong discipline," says Mario Ybarra, Chief School Official at Harvest Preparatory Academy in Yuma. Ybarra says the K-12 private school uses paddling as a last resort.
"Just the simple fact that we have corporal punishment as a policy is a deterrent to keep students from breaking the school code of conduct."
This summer a nine-member task force unanimously recommended a statewide ban on corporal punishment. One concern is the risk of injury to the student.
Ybarra says administrative staff perform the punishments according to strict guidelines.
"The parents are present, law enforcement and other people may be present just to make sure there is full compliance and no abuse takes place whatsoever."
The question then is whether corporal punishment actually works. Yuma County Schools Superintendent Tom Tyree says 'no.'
"If the idea is to change behavior or improve behavior then corporal punishment, and that's what it is punishment as opposed to a consequence, it didn't change behavior very much," says Tyree. He says he should know. In the early 1980s, Tyree worked as a vice principal responsible for administering corporal punishment.
"I just determined personally that I didn't think it was a good way to instill discipline."
For now corporal punishment remains on the books. According to Ybarra, his school has used paddling only once in the past two years. He says staff only resort to paddling after a months-long review including various forms of counseling.
October 2, 2009 Yuma, AZ -- There's a new push to eliminate corporal punishment in Arizona schools, but one local school is standing behind it's use of paddling.
"A lot of our parents bring their students here because they support strong discipline," says Mario Ybarra, Chief School Official at Harvest Preparatory Academy in Yuma. Ybarra says the K-12 private school uses paddling as a last resort.
"Just the simple fact that we have corporal punishment as a policy is a deterrent to keep students from breaking the school code of conduct."
This summer a nine-member task force unanimously recommended a statewide ban on corporal punishment. One concern is the risk of injury to the student.
Ybarra says administrative staff perform the punishments according to strict guidelines.
"The parents are present, law enforcement and other people may be present just to make sure there is full compliance and no abuse takes place whatsoever."
The question then is whether corporal punishment actually works. Yuma County Schools Superintendent Tom Tyree says 'no.'
"If the idea is to change behavior or improve behavior then corporal punishment, and that's what it is punishment as opposed to a consequence, it didn't change behavior very much," says Tyree. He says he should know. In the early 1980s, Tyree worked as a vice principal responsible for administering corporal punishment.
"I just determined personally that I didn't think it was a good way to instill discipline."
For now corporal punishment remains on the books. According to Ybarra, his school has used paddling only once in the past two years. He says staff only resort to paddling after a months-long review including various forms of counseling.
TN: Judge Rules Locked Seclusion Room Legal
NOTE: The Joseph Brown Elementary School is located in the Maury County Public School System in Columbia Tennessee. The 9 year old boy in this case was placed in a room with no interior handle in his underwear ; construction paper covered the door's window...This treatment has been deemed LEGAL in Tennessee....
Court sides with schools on seclusion rooms
Judge: No sign of wrongdoing
By CHRIS GRAHAM/ chrisgraham@c-dh.net
Court sides with schools on seclusion rooms
Judge: No sign of wrongdoing
By CHRIS GRAHAM/ chrisgraham@c-dh.net
http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/articles/2009/09/23/top_stories/01seclusion.txt
Educators at Joseph Brown Elementary School can resume using a seclusion room for unruly students after a judge ruled against a mother angered by the treatment of her 9-year-old son.
On Thursday Chancery Court Judge Jim Hamilton dismissed a petition by Michelle Parks, who had alleged school officials broke state law by stripping her son to his underwear and leaving him in a bare concrete room on Sept. 15.
However, Tasha Walker, the child’s teacher, said in a court hearing Tuesday the boy was put in the room, which features a steel door with a small window and no interior handle, after he had become aggressive and wrapped his shirt around his neck in what appeared to be a harmful manner. She also said he kicked her and head-butted an assistant.
Hamilton said evidence presented in the court hearing Tuesday showed there was no sign of wrongdoing.
“There is no proof that the personnel at Joseph Brown Elementary School did not follow the statutory requirements when this child was placed in isolation,” the order reads.
Parks had asked the judge to bar educators from using the seclusion room and was granted an emergency injunction until a decision was made.
Kevin Latta, Parks’ attorney, said he respected the court’s decision and congratulated the school district.
“You can’t win them all,” he said. “The biggest concern is giving the student the help he needs as well as seeing to it that his education continues.”
A message left for School District Attorney Jake Wolaver was not immediately returned Thursday.
School spokeswoman Sharon Kinnard said the school district is content with Hamilton’s decision and that “it shows that we are following the rules and guidelines set forth by state and federal law as well as school board policy.”
“This ruling shows that we have dedicated employees that are well-trained and work hard to help every student prepare for the future,” she said.
Latta had claimed educators broke several guidelines in a state law passed in January by placing the boy in the seclusion room by himself with no way to get out. Walker testified Tuesday that when a student is being aggressive, a bar on the outside of the door is held to keep the student inside. Walker and other school officials testified the door’s handle had been removed and would always stay open if not held shut.
Latta also argued state law was violated when Walker placed a sheet of construction paper over the window, obstructing her view of the student.
However, Hamilton said the seclusion room use appeared to be “in the best interest and for the protection of the student...”
“It is not intended to be punishment, rather it is done in hopes that the student will gather themselves and no longer be a threat to harm themselves, other students and staff,” the order states.
Kelley Woodside, the district’s special education supervisor, said the seclusion room is the only one of its kind in the Maury County School District. Since July 2008, the room has been used 45 times and only for the skills acquisition class at Brown Elementary, Woodside said. Currently, there are three students in the class at Brown and about 2,000 special needs children district-wide.
“This proof tells the Court that the other 1,997 Special Education students are being well cared for and the teachers in the schools these children attend are doing a good job,” the order states.
Hamilton commended Maury County special education teachers for their top-notch work.
“These Special Education teachers are a dedicated lot who must have a very strong commitment to try and help these unfortunate children live as near a normal life as they possibly can with their affliction,” the order states.
Latta said he and his client are undecided on how to move forward.
Educators at Joseph Brown Elementary School can resume using a seclusion room for unruly students after a judge ruled against a mother angered by the treatment of her 9-year-old son.
On Thursday Chancery Court Judge Jim Hamilton dismissed a petition by Michelle Parks, who had alleged school officials broke state law by stripping her son to his underwear and leaving him in a bare concrete room on Sept. 15.
However, Tasha Walker, the child’s teacher, said in a court hearing Tuesday the boy was put in the room, which features a steel door with a small window and no interior handle, after he had become aggressive and wrapped his shirt around his neck in what appeared to be a harmful manner. She also said he kicked her and head-butted an assistant.
Hamilton said evidence presented in the court hearing Tuesday showed there was no sign of wrongdoing.
“There is no proof that the personnel at Joseph Brown Elementary School did not follow the statutory requirements when this child was placed in isolation,” the order reads.
Parks had asked the judge to bar educators from using the seclusion room and was granted an emergency injunction until a decision was made.
Kevin Latta, Parks’ attorney, said he respected the court’s decision and congratulated the school district.
“You can’t win them all,” he said. “The biggest concern is giving the student the help he needs as well as seeing to it that his education continues.”
A message left for School District Attorney Jake Wolaver was not immediately returned Thursday.
School spokeswoman Sharon Kinnard said the school district is content with Hamilton’s decision and that “it shows that we are following the rules and guidelines set forth by state and federal law as well as school board policy.”
“This ruling shows that we have dedicated employees that are well-trained and work hard to help every student prepare for the future,” she said.
Latta had claimed educators broke several guidelines in a state law passed in January by placing the boy in the seclusion room by himself with no way to get out. Walker testified Tuesday that when a student is being aggressive, a bar on the outside of the door is held to keep the student inside. Walker and other school officials testified the door’s handle had been removed and would always stay open if not held shut.
Latta also argued state law was violated when Walker placed a sheet of construction paper over the window, obstructing her view of the student.
However, Hamilton said the seclusion room use appeared to be “in the best interest and for the protection of the student...”
“It is not intended to be punishment, rather it is done in hopes that the student will gather themselves and no longer be a threat to harm themselves, other students and staff,” the order states.
Kelley Woodside, the district’s special education supervisor, said the seclusion room is the only one of its kind in the Maury County School District. Since July 2008, the room has been used 45 times and only for the skills acquisition class at Brown Elementary, Woodside said. Currently, there are three students in the class at Brown and about 2,000 special needs children district-wide.
“This proof tells the Court that the other 1,997 Special Education students are being well cared for and the teachers in the schools these children attend are doing a good job,” the order states.
Hamilton commended Maury County special education teachers for their top-notch work.
“These Special Education teachers are a dedicated lot who must have a very strong commitment to try and help these unfortunate children live as near a normal life as they possibly can with their affliction,” the order states.
Latta said he and his client are undecided on how to move forward.
TN: Supervisor - Teachers trained on restraint
By CHRIS GRAHAM/ chrisgraham@c-dh.net
A seclusion room at Joseph Brown Elementary School has been used 45 times in less than two academic school years, according to a letter from the school district’s special education supervisor.
In response to a public records request made by The Daily Herald asking for documents related to the seclusion room, the district released only a letter dated Sept. 25, 2009, and signed by Special Education Supervisor Kelley Woodside. The letter states the seclusion room was used 39 times during the 2008-09 school year. So far this academic year, the room has been utilized six times, according to the letter.
The school has been temporarily barred from using the room by Judge Jim Hamilton who issued an emergency injunction. A Maury County woman has alleged that the school violated state law by placing her 9-year-old son, who suffers from attention deficit hyperactive disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, in a bare concrete room with no handle on the door Sept. 15.
Among the items requested from the school district was a report written by School Resource Officer Tony Greene regarding the Sept. 15 incident.
Greene said he turned the document over to the central office. Schools spokeswoman Sharon Kinnard said Wednesday she did not believe officials ever received the document.
The school district has maintained the room has been used in compliance with a state law passed in January 2009.
A decision by Hamilton is expected to be made sometime this week on whether the district can continue use of the room.
The mother also claims educators stripped her son down to his underwear before putting him in the seclusion room.
In Chancery Court Tuesday, the boy’s special education teacher, Tasha Walker, said the boy was placed in the room after taking off his shirt and placing it around his neck in what appeared to be a harmful manner. She also said he kicked her and threatened other students.
According to Woodside’s letter, a student is placed in the room only when a student is “in danger of harming self or other(s)” and “has not responded to positive attempts to de-escalate.”
Woodside also wrote that special education teachers received training on restraint and seclusion on Oct. 3, 2008, and re-certification classes were taught Aug. 25 and Sept. 9-10 of this year.
Story created Oct 01, 2009 - 15:55:17 EDT.
A seclusion room at Joseph Brown Elementary School has been used 45 times in less than two academic school years, according to a letter from the school district’s special education supervisor.
In response to a public records request made by The Daily Herald asking for documents related to the seclusion room, the district released only a letter dated Sept. 25, 2009, and signed by Special Education Supervisor Kelley Woodside. The letter states the seclusion room was used 39 times during the 2008-09 school year. So far this academic year, the room has been utilized six times, according to the letter.
The school has been temporarily barred from using the room by Judge Jim Hamilton who issued an emergency injunction. A Maury County woman has alleged that the school violated state law by placing her 9-year-old son, who suffers from attention deficit hyperactive disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, in a bare concrete room with no handle on the door Sept. 15.
Among the items requested from the school district was a report written by School Resource Officer Tony Greene regarding the Sept. 15 incident.
Greene said he turned the document over to the central office. Schools spokeswoman Sharon Kinnard said Wednesday she did not believe officials ever received the document.
The school district has maintained the room has been used in compliance with a state law passed in January 2009.
A decision by Hamilton is expected to be made sometime this week on whether the district can continue use of the room.
The mother also claims educators stripped her son down to his underwear before putting him in the seclusion room.
In Chancery Court Tuesday, the boy’s special education teacher, Tasha Walker, said the boy was placed in the room after taking off his shirt and placing it around his neck in what appeared to be a harmful manner. She also said he kicked her and threatened other students.
According to Woodside’s letter, a student is placed in the room only when a student is “in danger of harming self or other(s)” and “has not responded to positive attempts to de-escalate.”
Woodside also wrote that special education teachers received training on restraint and seclusion on Oct. 3, 2008, and re-certification classes were taught Aug. 25 and Sept. 9-10 of this year.
Story created Oct 01, 2009 - 15:55:17 EDT.
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