DESE review finds Wakefield schools largely compliant but asks clarified procedures on physical restraint
Summary
A DESE integrated monitoring review found Wakefield Public Schools’ special-education practices largely in compliance but required corrective-action procedures clarifying the district's physical restraint policy; administrators said staff training and reporting are strong and will submit procedural updates for spring approval.
Wakefield Public Schools officials reported on Jan. 27 that an integrated monitoring review by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) largely validated the district’s special-education processes but required corrective-action procedures related to physical restraint.
Cara (the district special-education lead) told the committee that DESE’s Public Monitoring Office conducted a thorough review—classroom observations, staff interviews and file reviews—across the district. The report, she said, found most standards met and highlighted the district’s emphasis on de-escalation strategies and annual staff training in restraint procedures.
The only area DESE identified for corrective action was not the policy itself but missing or insufficiently detailed accompanying procedures for physical restraint. Cara said the policy is sound but DESE asked for clearer procedural steps; she proposed working with the policy subcommittee and the superintendent’s office to draft recommended procedures informed by attorney guidance and bring those to the school committee for approval, ideally in spring.
Committee members asked about monitoring frequency; administrators confirmed the coordinated program review follows a three-year cycle with interim check-ins. Cara said the district will submit intended action steps and timelines to respond to the corrective action cited by DESE.
Next steps: the administration will draft procedural language for physical restraint reporting and practice, review it with the policy subcommittee and return it to the full committee for approval.
