Mo. district criticized for use of padded rooms

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A school district in St. Charles County is being criticized for using padded rooms for special-needs students.

The small, padded "time-out rooms" at Francis Howell School District are used for special-needs students who are prone to explosive outbursts.

Byron Koster of Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services said such rooms are not acceptable.

He says there are better ways to assess and control unwanted behaviors.

Superintendent Rene Shuster says the rooms are part of a contingency plan to deal with outbursts, and require parental approval.

Some parents, however, have come forward to oppose the practice, including one who claims her child became bruised in the room.

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Information from: KWMU-FM, http://www.kwmu.org