Keep Kids in Classrooms, Not Closets (Missouri)

There is a myth that seclusion is necessary to keep kids and school staff safe. There is no research – none – indicating that that is the case. In fact, it is when kids are being restrained and secluded that they and staff are at greatest risk for being hurt. There are many, many schools dealing with equally difficult kids that never use seclusion.

Missouri schools use seclusion at twice the national rate. Since Missouri schools began reporting the use of seclusion to the state in 2022, school staff have secluded kids in solitary confinement more than 23,500 times. 

Missouri HB 2183 would prohibit the use of seclusion on any student in Missouri public schools and ensure that all Missouri students receive critical protection from this ineffective and harmful practice.

Now is the time to support students and educators with effective, evidence-based approaches to addressing concerning behavior and keep kids in classrooms, not closets.