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Students with disabilities deserve the opportunity to pursue their education free from the fear of trauma and abuse. Let’s end these dangerous practices in schools today!
Tell Congress to PASS the Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA)!
I write to ask that you cosponsor and support passage of the Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA).
For too long, students with disabilities and students of color have been subjected to harsh discipline including the abuses of seclusion and restraint. Too many states do not have policies that protect students from the trauma and abuse of these practices and too often parents are not even aware their child is being secluded or restrained at school. Because too few schools have the resources needed to train staff in evidence-based practices that support students' behavior and keep adults and children safe, students with disabilities are at the greatest risk of being secluded and restrained. According to the 2018 Civil Rights Data Collection, of the students restrained or secluded, 78 percent were students with disabilities. Congress must take action now.
By co-sponsoring and enacting KASSA, you can ensure that schools put an end to abusive treatment of students and become safe havens to facilitate learning for all. KASSA's provisions help districts transform schools by prohibiting dangerous practices and providing funding to train school personnel in evidence-based practices so everyone is safe.
Please help put an end to schools’ use of seclusion and restraint, and direct federal funding to expand school personnel training. In doing so, schools will be better equipped to meet the mental health and behavioral needs of all students.
Thank you for your consideration of this important bill.
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If you are not a member of COPAA, please consider joining so that you can be part of our national network that promotes and protects the civil rights of children with disabilities and their families!