COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 34

February 17, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Patricia I. Wright Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Guidelines for the Development of Policies and Procedures for Managing Student Behavior in Emergency Situations in Virginia Public Schools, Focusing on Physical Restraint and Seclusion

We are pleased to announce the availability of a new document, Guidelines for the Development of Policies and Procedures for Managing Student Behaviors in Emergency Situations, Focusing on Physical Restraint and Seclusion. The guidelines were prepared under the leadership of the State Special Education Advisory Committee (SSEAC). Public comment received by the committee, coupled with a survey conducted by the Virginia Department of Education, suggested a need for assistance in developing policies and procedures on the use of physical restraint and seclusion.

Local school boards are strongly encouraged to maintain a policy on the use of physical restraint and seclusion in managing student behavior in emergency situations. This document provides guidance that localities will find useful in developing or revising such policy.

Under separate cover, we will mail copies of the guidelines to you, each local director of special education, each building principal, and your local special education advisory committee. We will also distribute the document to parent resource centers and private schools. A copy of the document may be downloaded at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/sess/EmergBehaviorGd.pdf.

If you have questions, please contact Irene Walker-Bolton, educational specialist, Office of Special Education Instructional Services, at (804) 225-2709 or by e-mail at irene.walker-bolton@doe.virginia.gov.

PIW/dlj