Thousands of Ohio Students Physically Restrained Last Year

Early statistics show that more than one-third of Ohio's public schools restrained at least one student during the last school year, and about 13 percent of public schools isolated children in seclusion rooms. That's according to Ohio Department of Education data, part of the first-ever comprehensive look at seclusion and restraint in Ohio's public schools. Data collected so far show that, statewide, about 2,000 students were physically restrained in more than 7,000 incidents last school year. About 900 children were secluded more than 3,000 times. The state Board of Education passed rules last year to prohibit schools from using seclusion rooms or physical restraint as a punishment for children or as a convenience for staff members. In 2012, WOSU and StateImpact Ohio helped lead an investigation that led to new state policy on the use of restraint and seclusion in Ohio schools.