Restraint and Seclusion Statistics

2024-2025 Restraint & Seclusion Data

During the 2022 legislative session, restraint and seclusion were added as reporting categories within the Learning Environment District Profile reports (HB 22-1376).   Data will be published starting with the 2024-25 school year on this page and included in the Profile Reports:

• In 2024-25, this data was collected through the Student Discipline snapshot.
• Starting in 2025-26, The Student Restraint and Seclusion data file will collect restraint and seclusion data previously included in the Discipline Interchange and Snapshot and data collected in the Protection of Persons from Restraint Act (PPRA) collection.  The file layout for the 25-26 collection can be found on the Student Restraint and Seclusion collection website.

Statute requires CDE to publish the number of students restrained and placed in seclusion to the Learning Environment District Profile Reports. The statute requires CDE to report disaggregated, district-level data to the extent feasible. While the consistency of data has improved in 24-25, there may be gaps in currently reported and published data. CDE is continuing to update collection procedures to address inconsistencies in the collection.

Background

It is important to note that restraint and seclusion are not discipline actions.  According to the Rules for the Administration of the Protection of Persons from Restraint Act in the Code of Colorado Regulations 301-45, restraints and seclusion shall only be used in an emergency and with extreme caution; and after the failure of less restrictive alternatives (such as Positive Behavior Supports, constructive and non-physical de-escalation, and re-structuring the environment); or determination that such alternatives would be inappropriate or ineffective under the circumstances. Restraint or seclusion must not be used as a form of discipline or to gain compliance from a student. School personnel shall: use restraints and seclusion only for the period of time necessary and using no more force than is necessary; and prioritize the prevention of harm to the student.

For questions about definitions and/or use of restraint or seclusion, please visit the Special Education Rules and Regulations site or contact Bill Brown at brown_w@cde.state.co.us.

Data Workbook

2025-2026 Student Restraint Seclusions Workbook (XLSX)

This report shows the number of restraints, seclusions, and number of students who received a restraint or seclusion by each student group at the state level, and totals for each district.

For additional information, email the Student Restraint and Seclusion data collection inbox or visit the Student Restraint and Seclusion collection website.

For data requests, see CDE's Data Request page.