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January 12, 2010
In November 2009, the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) proposed regulations requiring all public schools and public charter schools to create codes of conduct that define bad behavior and a range of punishments that can be applied in specific situations. The regulations also explain when schools can use physical and chemical restraints.
On January 12, 2010, CLC submitted comments on these proposed regulations, recommending steps to minimize harmful exclusions of students from class by explicitly prohibiting the use of suspensions and expulsions as retribution against parents for not withdrawing their student from school. CLC also recommended strengthening this language in the regulation.
Further, CLC recommended improvements to the proposed regulation of restraints and seclusion. Those regulations were spurred by a policy letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and CLC recommended that OSSE adopt stronger language that is consistent with the model regulations cited by the Secretary.
The Health Access Project is a phenomenal program we have here at our health center that allows us as physicians to supplement the services we provide to our patients.
-Dr. Alsan Bellard
Medical Director,
Children’s National Medical Center,
Children’s Health Center of Southeast DC
