Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) has greatly improved its model policy on student seclusion and restraint in public schools. WAAA raised concerns about a problematic model policy (3247) and requested a revision in a letter to WSSDA on 3 10 14. Our records indicated 19 school districts had adopted or were considering adoption of this policy. Over the last 5 months our members and advocates educated various districts regarding the harmful impact adopting the model would inflict on the students.
We followed up with a public record request PRA request 6 9 14 including records of any studies, scientific journals or other analytical materials considered by WSSDA in developing, recommending or supporting Procedure 3247. WSSDA informed us they were not in possession of any records of any studies, scientific journal or analytic material that supports their model seclusion and restraint policy.
WSSDA has since revised its Model Restraint & Seclusion Policy 3247P. It is greatly improved.
Many thanks to all the family advocates who have written and have shown up to testify at school board meetings. Thank you for standing together with us for change.