WASHINGTON, D.C. - Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday he will ask school chiefs around the country about the use of restraints and confinement of pupils in the classroom. | School shooter's 'deadly diary'

"Children's safety has to be our number one concern before we begin to think about educating them and doing other things," Duncan told the House Education and Labor Committee.

The committee on Tuesday heard from a foster mother whose 14-year-old son died after his teacher restrained him. They also heard from government investigators who found hundreds of cases of alleged abuse of children, particularly those with disabilities, arising from the practice of restraining and seclusion.

"I want to make sure that as we go into next school year that every state has a real clear plan as to how to do this in a way that makes sense and doesn't jeopardize, doesn't endanger children," Duncan told lawmakers.

In one case, a 4-year-old autistic girl born with cerebral palsy was strapped to a chair for throwing tantrums when she needed to use the bathroom, according to findings by the Government Accountability Office. She came home with bruises on her chest, calves and wrists, her mother told investigators.

At least 20 deaths since 1990 were attributed to restricted breathing tactics used as school discipline, the GAO report said.

No federal laws limit the use of restraints or seclusion in public or private schools. State laws vary. Nineteen states have no laws that restrict either practice, while eight states specifically ban restraint that restricts breathing.