The author discusses the legal and administrative concerns, best professional practices concerns, and political concerns related to the use of physical restraint and time out procedures with seriously behaviorally disordered children. Among the points made are that the courts may consider such approaches to be cruel and unusual; that direct…

The author explores the growing litigation over student rights in disciplinary cases, noting that the teacher's freedom to use punishment and behavior modification is being restricted. He presents teachers with some guidelines on classroom management and control in light of these court rulings. (SJL)