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Tell Congress: End the Use of Seclusion & Restraint on Students, Target Resources to Train School Staff
Tell Congress to support and pass the Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) (H.R. 3470/S. 1750). This bill would prohibit schools from secluding any child or use any dangerous restraints that restrict breathing or can cause harm. KASSA would only allow restraint when needed to protect students and staff from serious physical injury. Importantly, the bill would provide funds to train school personnel so they can address behaviors with proactive evidence-based strategies.
According to the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection, of the students restrained or secluded, 78 percent were students with disabilities. Although Black students comprise 15 percent of the student population, they represent 22 percent of students subjected to seclusion and 34 percent of students subjected to mechanical restraint.
To sign onto the bill please contact: Rep. Beyer (D-VA), Julia.Kravitz@mail.house.gov, or Sen. Murphy (D-CT), Peter_Mills@murphy.senate.gov.
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)!
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 (H.R. 3470/S. 1750).
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 2021 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.
To sign onto the bill please contact: Rep. Beyer (D-VA), Julia.Kravitz@mail.house.gov, or Sen. Murphy (D-CT), Peter_Mills@murphy.senate.gov.
Thank you for your consideration of this important bill.
Good news--your Representative or Senator has already cosponsored the bill. But you can still help!
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