Maricopa Unified School District board leaders unanimously amended a policy that forbids corporal punishment, psychological abuse, coercion and seclusion in all circumstances at preschools. 

The school board Wednesday night adopted new language that forbids physical restraints except when restraint is necessary to protect the student or others from harm.  

The action brings the school district into compliance with national community preschools policy, said Assistant Superintendent Tracey Pastor following the board’s action. 

“It’s a policy that we had in place for quite some time,” Pastor told InMaricopa. “But we had to add some additional language … The reason why we had to add that language specifically is because our preschools are in the process of obtaining National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation.” 

Examples of psychological abuse include but are not limited to shaming, name-calling, ridiculing, humiliation, sarcasm, cursing at, making threats, frightening a child, ostracism, withholding affection and seclusion. 

Examples of physical punishment that are prohibited include but are not limited to shaking, hitting, spanking, slapping, jerking, squeezing, kicking, biting, pinching, excessive tickling, pulling of arms, hair, or ears, and requiring a child to remain inactive for a long period of time. 

Examples of coercion that are prohibited include but are not limited to rough handling, physical restraint except when restraint is necessary to protect the child or others from harm, and physically forcing a child to perform an action such as eating or cleaning up. 

“Restraint” means any method or device that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to move the student’s torso, arms, legs or head freely, including physical force or mechanical devices.  

“Seclusion” means the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room in which the student is prevented from leaving.  

Restraint or seclusion techniques may be used on a student only if: 

• The student’s behavior presents an imminent danger of bodily harm to the student or others. 

• Less restrictive interventions appear insufficient to mitigate the imminent danger of bodily harm.  

The policy also outlines reporting and documentation procedures to be followed when a restraint or seclusion technique has been used on a student.