Schools Increasingly Resort to Emergency Hospitalizations for Misconduct

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In Wicomico County, Maryland, a concerning trend has emerged: on an average thrice a week, students are handcuffed and transported by police to emergency rooms for psychiatric evaluations. This practice, spanning the last eight years, has involved over 750 instances, some involving children as young as five.

The emergency evaluations, initially intended for individuals with severe mental health crises posing a danger to themselves or others, are being applied in schools for behaviors often linked to bullying or academic stress. Despite laws targeting severe mental illness, these emergency trips are increasingly used for less critical situations, sometimes following prolonged neglect of students’ needs.

Wicomico High School, as of August 2023, has been a notable location for such incidents. Despite a 2017 agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to avoid misusing emergency petitions, Wicomico County schools have seen a rise in these hospitalizations even as suspensions and expulsions decreased.

Alarmingly, data indicates a disproportionate impact on Black students and those with disabilities. In Wicomico, 117 such cases were recorded last year, with over half involving Black children, who constitute just over a third of the student population.

Parents and advocates cite inadequate resources and training, combined with a punitive school culture, as drivers behind this misuse of emergency evaluations. Instances of children, including those with autism or ADHD, being handcuffed and hospitalized for outbursts stemming from academic frustration rather than mental illness, are increasingly common.

The situation is not isolated to Wicomico. Similar trends are observed in New York City, Kentucky, Florida, and California. The lack of nationwide data on school-initiated psychiatric assessments obscures the extent of this issue, preventing accountability.

Educators, stretched thin, often lack the support and training to handle such situations effectively. Emergency petitions, falling outside standard disciplinary procedures, often lead to unrecorded absences, particularly impacting students with disabilities.

The 2017 Justice Department settlement was aimed at reducing disciplinary disparities. However, parents and educators note an increase in emergency petitions since the agreement. School arrests also remain high, with Wicomico recording the second-highest number in Maryland for the 2021-22 school year.

This systemic issue points to a deeper cultural problem within the school district, including a lack of diversity among educators and insufficient engagement with community resources like mobile crisis units.

The impact on students is profound, often leading to a breakdown in trust and engagement with the school system. This story, a joint production by The Big Big News and The Hechinger Report, highlights a critical issue in the intersection of education, mental health, and law enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Emergency Hospitalizations in Schools

What is the trend of emergency hospitalizations in Wicomico County schools?

In Wicomico County, Maryland, there has been a significant increase in the use of emergency hospitalizations for students’ psychiatric evaluations, often in response to behaviors related to bullying or academic stress. Over the past eight years, more than 750 instances have been recorded, involving students as young as five years old.

How are emergency evaluations intended to be used in schools?

Emergency evaluations, according to state law, are meant for individuals with severe mental illness who pose a danger to themselves or others. However, in practice, schools are increasingly using them for less critical situations, often where students’ needs have been neglected over time.

Which students are most affected by these emergency hospitalizations?

Data shows a disproportionate impact on Black students and those with disabilities. In Wicomico County, for instance, more than half of the emergency hospitalizations involved Black children, despite them constituting just over a third of the student population.

What are the concerns raised by parents and advocates regarding this trend?

Parents and advocates have raised concerns about the lack of resources and trained staff in schools, leading to a punitive culture that misuses emergency evaluations. They argue that such actions are often a response to academic frustration or behavioral issues, not severe mental health crises.

Has this issue been observed outside Wicomico County?

Yes, similar trends have been observed in various locations across the United States, including New York City, Kentucky, Florida, and California. However, due to the lack of nationwide data on school-initiated psychiatric assessments, the full extent of the issue remains unclear.

What was the outcome of the 2017 Justice Department settlement with Wicomico County schools?

The 2017 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice required Wicomico County schools to reduce disciplinary disparities and misuse of emergency petitions. However, since the settlement, there has been an increase in emergency hospitalizations, even as suspensions and expulsions have decreased.

More about Emergency Hospitalizations in Schools

The Big Big News
The Hechinger Report
U.S. Department of Justice Settlements
Wicomico County Public Schools
National Center for Youth Law
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Maryland Department of Education

4 comments

EduAdvocate101 December 5, 2023 - 11:35 am

it’s about time we focus on proper resources and training for our educators, they’re clearly stretched thin dealing with such situations.

SarahK December 6, 2023 - 2:52 am

I’ve read about the DOJ settlement, but looks like things haven’t improved much? The numbers are still high.

Mike Jons December 6, 2023 - 9:17 am

Really alarming to see kids being handcuffed, what’s happening to our schools? There should be better ways to deal with this.

ConcernedParent December 6, 2023 - 9:40 am

My heart goes out to these kids, especially those with disabilities. Being handcuffed must be terrifying for them.