restraint in schools

This week we'll talk with two investigative journalists in Indiana about their work exposing oversights at Indianapolis bars and in seclusion and restraint of students in school.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a new law that bars Indiana schools from temporarily removing a student from instruction — known as “time-out” — except as a last resort and in situations where safety is at risk.

Indiana lawmakers filed legislation this session aimed at fixing systemic problems for students with disabilities, including the use and oversight of restraint and seclusion in schools.

In the audit for the 2020-21 school year, nine of the 21 schools included failed to provide IDOE with records of seclusion and restraint incidents.

A WFYI investigation revealed some Indiana schools aren’t accurately reporting how often they forcibly isolate and restrain students. A lawmaker said the reporting showed "the state has failed families.”

Students in Indiana are secluded and restrained thousands of times each year, according to data provided by the Indiana Department of Education.

Indiana lawmakers approved legislation a decade ago that was intended to regulate and curb the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.