Michigan Advocates to End Seclusion and Restraint

08/18/2026

The EndSaR board was in Lansing supporting Senator Chang’s draft legislation to strengthen protections for Michigan students from seclusion and restraint in our public schools.

We encourage you to join us in this important work - contact your legislators, stay informed, and learn more about the bill at https://www.endsar-mi.org/bill.

08/15/2026

Will teachers still be able to prevent students from running out of the building?

Yes. The bill prohibits the involuntary confinement of a pupil in a room or space where they are not permitted to leave. Teachers can prevent a student from leaving the building as long as the student is permitted to go elsewhere in the school.

See for Yourself. https://www.endsar-mi.org/bill

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08/15/2026

Michigan Advocates to End Seclusion and Restraint, LLC (EndSaR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to bring healthier, more effective alternatives into Michigan schools in order to end the harmful practices of seclusion and restraint through student advocacy, educator support, parent education, quality control, and legislative change.

08/14/2026

Q&A - Seclusion & Restraint Bill

Will students still be able to access sensory gyms and calming spaces?

Yes. The bill prohibits seclusion which it defines as the involuntary confinement of a pupil in a room or space where they are not permitted to leave. This does not impact students voluntarily accessing sensory gyms nor does it impact their ability to access calming spaces, even if they are alone, as long as they are permitted to leave.

See for Yourself. https://www.endsar-mi.org/bill

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08/14/2026

A new Bridge Michigan article, penned by Isabel Lohman, takes a closer look at the renewed push to change Michigan’s seclusion and restraint law.

The article highlights the work of EndSaR and the families, advocates, and lawmakers calling for stronger protections for Michigan students, as well as the concerns and hesitation surrounding the proposed changes.

As EndSaR Chair Cassie Atallah told Bridge Michigan: “We’re a decade into implementation, and what we’ve seen demonstrated is that additional safeguards are necessary to fully protect our students and staff.”

Michigan can do better. And we’re working to make sure it does.

📰 Read the full article from Bridge Michigan here:

Michigan students were secluded or restrained nearly 18,000 times during the 2024-2025 school year. Advocates say more staff training and an emphasis on prevention would help students.

08/14/2026

Q&A - Seclusion & Restraint Bill

If schools can’t use seclusion or restraint, what can they do instead?

There are many trauma assumed approaches designed to prevent crisis situations by addressing the root causes of problems. For schools that rely heavily on seclusion and restraint, it takes a culture and mindset shift in behavior perception.

See for Yourself. https://www.endsar-mi.org/bill

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08/14/2026

Along with Lives in the Balance, we helped create a mini documentary, “End the Harm,” discussing seclusion and restraint in Michigan schools.

View the mini documentary here: https://vimeo.com/1104083216

08/13/2026

This is seclusion.

No child deserves this.

There are Better Ways to respond to kids in crisis.

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https://www.endsar-mi.org/a-better-way

Image drawn by survivor of seclusion and restraint

08/13/2026

The data show one thing clearly: the use of seclusion and restraint in Michigan schools remains far too high.

Learn more by viewing our data map: www.endsar-mi.org/data

08/12/2026

Did you know…

There are several districts in Michigan that are self-reporting using seclusion and restraint at a rate HIGHER than Montcalm ISD was reporting during their Investigation by the DOJ which determined that the district discriminated against its students on the basis of disability based on its use of seclusion and restraint.

In the DOJ settlement, seclusion was prohibited and restraint was restricted.

If Montcalm ISD can operate without using seclusion and restricting their use of restraint, then so can other districts.

By prohibiting seclusion and restricting restraint, we increase the urgency for educators to use the healthier, more effective approaches available. https://www.endsar-mi.org/a-better-way