The cases are alarming. Students with disabilities injured or even dead after being restrained or secluded following behavior problems at school. For years no one kept track of such incidents, but a report in January from a disability rights group prompted a federal inquiry into the matter, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The January report from the National Disability Rights Network outlined dozens of cases of injury and death resulting from seclusion — often in so-called “time-out rooms” — and restraint at schools across the country. But, the report indicated that the full impact of such practices is not yet clear.

That prompted U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., to request an investigation from the Government Accountability Office. That agency’s report is expected to be released in the coming weeks, advocates say. Miller, who chairs the House of Representatives’ Education and Labor Committee also pledged to hold a hearing on this issue.

Currently state laws governing seclusion and restraint vary and 18 states have no laws at all on the subject, reports Education Week. To read more click here.

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Previous stories on this topic:

Congressman Wants Answers On School Restraint And Seclusion (January 27, 2009)

Schools’ Restraint And Seclusion Tactics Cause Injury, Death, Report Says (January 14, 2009)

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