The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has released data on restraint and seclusion in Wisconsin schools from 2021-22. Schools reported nearly 7,000 incidents of restraint, 76% of which involved students with disabilities and 78% of which occurred in elementary schools. According to DRW advocacy specialists Mary Cerretti and Joanne Juhnke, the number of incidents continues to be alarming, producing trauma for students with disabilities that could be avoided through better resourcing, training, and supports.
Cerretti and Juhnke have provided interviews for the following:
- Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), 10 July 2023
Report: Nearly 7K instances of student physical restraint occurred in Wisconsin schools - Wisconsin Examiner, 12 July 2023
Wisconsin schools report almost 6,000 seclusion and 7,000 restraint incidents - WORT 89.9FM, 12 July 2023
WI Schools Report Around 6,000 Seclusion Incidents
Read the Department of Public Instruction Seclusion and Restraints 2021-2022 Report here.