Virginia developing rules to limit seclusion use in student discipline

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ State education officials are developing regulations to limit the use of restraint and seclusion to discipline unruly students.

Signed into law by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the Virginia legislation requires the state Board of Education to develop the statewide regulations governing the use of those disciplinary practices.

Critics say such techniques are almost always unnecessary to keep order in the classroom.

The law was passed over the objections of lobbyists for school boards and principals who said it would allow school administrators too little discretion.

The regulations will be drafted by November. Then they will be presented for public comment at a minimum of two hearings.

Virginia is the 33rd state to govern the use of seclusion and restraint in schools by law or regulation.

Colleen Kelleher

Colleen Kelleher is an award-winning journalist who has been with WTOP since 1996. Kelleher joined WTOP as the afternoon radio writer and night and weekend editor and made the move to WTOP.com in 2001. Now she works early mornings as the site's Senior Digital Editor.

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