Number of students being restrained on the rise in Wake County, data shows

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- New numbers from the Wake County public school district show more students are being restrained or secluded in schools.

The numbers from the previous school year show a 38% increase in restraints and seclusion compared to the previous year.

READ MORE | See the WCPSS Seclusion and Restraint Review here (.pdf)

On Tuesday, school administrators said it's because of more accurate reporting.

There were 1,802 instances where students were restrained in 2024. That compares to 1,304 instances the year before.

Of those restraints, 1,309 involved an educator holding a student.

In 447 cases from last year, students were secluded or put in a room alone.

Forty-six cases involved a physical restraint, such as a handcuff or zip tie, put on a student.

The 1,802 instances involved a total of 544 students.

The Wake County Public School System didn't reveal how often students were restrained or removed. The data does show that 299 of the 544 students restrained were Black. That's more than half of all students restrained. Black students make up about 22% of WCPSS' total student population.

A total of 324 elementary school students were also restrained; the majority of any group.

WCPSS said it is placing a special focus on schools where students are being restrained and introducing specialized staff to engage with students.

Wake County schools are now required to inform parents within 24 hours if their children are restrained.

The district is also being sued after a special-education teacher at East Wake High School was convicted of assaulting two students.

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