When school and district systems are designed to embrace and support all students and staff, efforts to reduce restraint and eliminate isolation are far more likely to succeed. This involves centering the belonging and well-being – socially, emotionally, and behaviorally – of all students, and providing staff with the resources and climate necessary to embrace all students while still meeting their own needs. School and district leaders play a pivotal role in shaping these environments by organizing resources, policies, and practices in ways that respond to the diverse needs of students and staff.
This section describes school and district systems that effectively support student and staff well-being, prevent most student interfering behavior, and respond when those behaviors do occur with teaching-focused and evidence-based practices.