Parents Allege Students Mistreated At Norwalk School

NORWALK, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The state is investigating a Norwalk school after several parents complained that their children are coming home with scratches and bruises.

The state Department of Children and Families is conducting an investigation into the High Road School of Norwalk, a state-approved special education school for students with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Even though it's private, most students are referred there by Norwalk Public Schools, which pays the tuition.

Parents told the Board of Education this week that an 8-year-old girl was restrained by four adults, and children are given "timeouts'' that last for six hours, The Hour reported. One parent said her child screams and fights every morning, resisting going to school.

Mickey Kramer, associate child advocate for the state, said this kind of complaint is not isolated to any one school or district.

"This is a problem that affects thousands and thousands of students and families and teachers and districts in Connecticut, but also it's a national problem, it's a problem all over," Kramer told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau. "We know in Connecticut that there are approximately 33,000 to 35,000 instances of restraint and seclusion of children in schools."

Most of the abuses occur in schools for special needs children and said an intense effort is underway to demonstrate to educators strategies to eliminate restraints and seclusions, Kramer siad.

The Norwalk superintendent of schools has ordered an investigation, calling the allegations of abuse at the school "very disturbing."

School department officials and a High Road spokeswoman all refused comment.

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