First Alert 4

The Special School District of St. Louis County is implementing new policies ahead of the upcoming school year to improve student safety and ensure that students with disabilities are treated with greater dignity in the classroom. The changes follow a U.S. Department of Justice investigation released in February that found the district violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by using seclusion and restraint. According to the report, investigators found that hundreds of students were placed in seclusion more than 4,000 times. More than 100 students were also physically restrained more than 700 times. Under the updated policies, the district will eliminate the use of seclusion rooms and prohibit face-up (supine) restraints. Physical restraints may still be used, but only when a student poses an immediate danger of harming themselves or others, according to the district.