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Corpun file 26843 at www.corpun.com
The Dispatch, Columbus, Mississippi, 6 February 2020
Putting away the paddle?
Legislators say parental input critical in school discipline as House bill seeks to ban corporal punishment
By Isabelle Altman
A bill making its way through the Mississippi House of Representatives potentially banning corporal punishment -- which traditionally has entailed paddling children for certain school offenses, such as fighting -- from public schools has area legislators thinking about when to involve parents in school discipline.
House Bill 12, which was written by Rep. Carl Mickens (D-Brooksville), would amend a 1972 code to "prohibit the use of corporal punishment in public and charter schools to discipline a student; to provide that any employee who violates the corporal punishment prohibition shall be held liable for civil damages suffered by a student as a result of the administration of corporal punishment...."
The topic has become a major enough issue throughout the country that school districts have begun banning it themselves. Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District got rid of corporal punishment in the early 2000s, and Columbus Municipal School District ended the policy on June 30, 2019, making this the first school year in which CMSD teachers and administrators cannot paddle students.
CMSD Superintendent Cherie Labat said administrators changed the policy after discussions last year, hoping to reinforce positive behaviors among students rather than focusing on negative.
"Corporal punishment is something that should be between a parent and a child and not between an administrator and a child," she said.
She also said in a message to The Dispatch that there could be severe legal repercussions already for teachers and administrators who spank children.
"We live in a litigious society and although policy supports or give you rights it is still a very sensitive situation," she said. "... CMSD is focused on rewarding positive behavior and preventing negative behaviors."
That said, what works for CMSD may not work for every district, she said.
Lowndes County School District Superintendent Sam Allison said while some schools in his district use it -- with parental consent only --, he understands why it's a subject of debate and subject to litigation.
"There's a reason some states don't use it anymore," he said. "I'm not saying it's not effective. It's effective with some kids and it's not with some kids, but there's a huge liability involved with it. Yes, you're probably covered if you follow the guidelines the state puts out but it doesn't exempt you from accusations and charges and things like that.
"If the legislators passed the law, we would follow that law," he said.
Legislators' opinions
Most local legislators said they would be against the bill, arguing corporal punishment could be an effective way to enforce behavior -- provided the students' parent or parents OK the punishment.
"I would be opposed to it," said Rep. Gary Chism (R-Columbus), who said he expects the bill to have a hard time getting passed. "I think teachers need all the tools that they can get their hands on. Most school districts get (parents) to sign a permission slip at the beginning of the year. It's usually in the handbook ... (saying) 'Corporal punishment can be used on my child.' So I don't think we need to ban corporal punishment."
His sentiment was echoed by newly-elected Rep. Dana McLean (R-Columbus) who said she thinks 19 states, many of them Southern states, currently implement corporal punishment.
"Ultimately it's a decision the parent would have to indicate they're in favor of," she said.
But Rep. Kabir Karriem said he agrees with the proposed bill and believes school districts should look for alternative ways to discipline students, such in-school suspension or after-school detention.
"Those things need to be hashed out," he said. "We need to look at school systems that do not use corporal punishment but have alternative, ways of dealing with behavior like that, and we need to see how successful they are."
Karriem argued if student behavior has escalated to the point when corporal punishment is a consideration, then it is "past time" for the student's parents to be involved.
"As a parent I like to be called if one of my children are not acting properly or have done something to the extent when corporal punishment is an option," he said.
He said a couple of years ago he introduced a bill that would allow school districts to grade parents, which he hoped would reinforce the idea that parents have to stay involved in schools.
"Now of course, it wasn't a real popular piece of legislation, but it was a way to bring awareness that parents need to be involved inside the school system," he said. "Before corporal punishment is warranted, there are things that lead up to that and if children are acting out or acting improper inside the classroom setting, I think it's incumbent on administrators as well as the teachers to bring it to the parents' attention.
"Now if the parent does not act after it's brought to their attention or if the behavior continues, then there has to be a decision made on how to handle the situation," he added, "but to absolutely take a child and give them licks or spanking or paddling them so they can go back to school, I have a difference of opinion on that."
While the bill hasn't made it past the House to go to the Senate, Sen. Chuck Younger (R-Columbus) said if it does make it that far, he likely won't be for it either. He said he isn't aware of the bill or what all is in it, but that generally he's for corporal punishment.
"If the parents sign off on it, I think you ought to be able to punish the way the parents (are) OK with," he said.
Copyright 2020 The Commercial Dispatch Publishing Company
Corpun file 26862 at www.corpun.com
WPMI-TV (NBC15), Mobile, Alabama, 13 February 2020
Which local school districts allow corporal punishment?
By Andrea Ramey
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) -- An NBC 15 investigation earlier this week exposed student behavior so bad, it's driving away some teachers. Many of you responded on social media saying "bring back corporal punishment" to deal with discipline problems in the classroom.
Alabama law allows corporal punishment in schools, but districts can choose not to use that form of punishment. Washington County Public School do, and the superintendent says it works.
"Most kids, it's effective," said superintendent John Dickey.
Dickey says corporal punishment once was the first option for discipline and is now considered a last resort in his district.
"It's a last resort before expulsion. So, it is serious by the time we use corporal punishment," said Dickey.
According to Washington County Public Schools records, corporal punishment was used 90 times last school year. Most of the incidents occurred at high schools. Students were spanked 32 times at Fruitdale High School and 30 at Millry High School. The most common reasons why were listed as disruptive and disorderly behavior and fighting. Records also show corporal punishment was used far less at the elementary schools. Seven times at Chatom Elementary and Three at McIntosh Elementary.
"Sparingly, I mean another reason is liability. Teachers don't want to paddle a kid and risk losing their house in a lawsuit," said Dickey.
Mobile County, Baldwin County, Saraland, Satsuma, and Chickasaw public school systems have all opted not to allow the use of corporal punishment. On Facebook, many of you are chiming in on the topic, saying "maybe it should be brought back."
"I do think it's effective with a lot of kids. A lot of parents accept it. They like it. They tell me, 'if my child acts up, paddle him. Tear his butt up and he will act better.' Other parents, not so much," said Dickey.
Clarke County's superintendent Larry Bagley says right now their district does allow corporal punishment, and he says they use it sparingly. Bagley says it's likely on the way out. He says the next time the board revises school policies they will be considering removing it as an option.
Corpun file 26863 at www.corpun.com
Cincinnati Public Radio (WVXU), Ohio, 21 February 2020
In Kentucky Schools, Hundreds of Students Are Struck Each Year, and It's Legal
By Jess Clark
In 19 Kentucky school districts, when a student misbehaves, teachers or principals can still use a paddle to spank students on the behind. Last year, educators used paddling to discipline students at least 284 times -- mostly in Eastern and South-Central Kentucky. The state keeps track of how often schools use it, and on who.
Kentucky is one of 19 states where corporal punishment is legal in public schools. That means it's legal for educators in public schools to inflict pain as a form of discipline, usually through spanking. But state lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban the practice.
How Do Kentucky Schools Use Corporal Punishment?
The policies regulating corporal punishment vary by district, but in most that allow it, the only method permitted is the striking of a student on the rear end with a paddle. In most districts that allow corporal punishment, only a principal or other administrator can deliver the punishment. But at least one district allows any certified staff to use it, including teachers. Most require the punishment to be delivered privately, away from any other students, and in the presence of one to two other certified staff members as witnesses. Some district policies require parents to be notified, and some do not.
Corporal Punishment Still Used, But On The Decline
Kentucky schools use corporal punishment far less than schools in other states where it remains legal. In Mississippi, for example, schools used corporal punishment more than 20,000 times in a single school year, according to the most recent data available.
Here in the Bluegrass state, the practice is on the decline. Ten years ago, 44 districts reported using corporal punishment on more than 1,000 students. But last year, just 13 of the 19 districts where it's allowed reported using a paddle to discipline students.
"We just know a lot more," Kentucky Youth Advocates executive director Terry Brooks said.
Brooks said most districts have done away with the practice as teachers and administrators learn about the negative impacts. In fact, Pulaski County Schools, historically one of the biggest users of corporal punishment, recently updated district policy to ban the practice.
But in some places where corporal punishment persists, Brooks said, it's not because local leaders wouldn't want to do away with it. In fact, school boards can save money on their liability insurance if they ban the practice.
"We've heard more than once that the superintendent and/or the school board would like to ban it, but they face community pressure not to," Brooks said. "For a lot of folks, that paddle represents orderly and safe environments. You know it's like 'we want you to be tough on kids, you got to take a strong stand.'"
WFPL reached out to all 13 Kentucky school districts that reported using corporal punishment last year. But we didn't hear back in time for this report.
State Lawmakers Considering A Ban
Rep. Steve Riley (R-Glasgow) thinks it's time for schools stop using corporal punishment altogether. Riley was a school administrator for 19 years, and said he never used the paddle.
"The reason for discipline is to change behavior for good, and I noticed over the years it kept being the same child being spanked time and time again and it wasn't changing behavior," Riley said.
He said he also noticed that many of the students being spanked were students with special needs. That lines up with national research, showing students with disabilities and black students are more likely to receive corporal punishment than their peers.
Many studies show corporal punishment doesn't work. In fact, research shows it can have negative impacts on mental health and actually increase aggressive child behavior. And in some cases, educators have injured students.
Carla Hay is a forensic nurse who treats victims of child abuse at the University of Kentucky. She told the House Education Committee that her team once cared for a seven-year-old who was left with "significant bruising" after a paddling from the school principal.
"Bruising -- that is very painful," Hay said. "Kids report being unable to sleep, being unable to sit down, being in pain."
Some injuries are less obvious. Hay says getting a paddling can be traumatic, especially for students with a history of trauma.
"There are physical and psychological implications," she said.
The proposed ban has passed the House, and has been sent to a Senate committee for further consideration.
Copyright 2020 WKU Public Radio.
Corpun file 26866 at www.corpun.com
The News Journal, Corbin, Kentucky, 21 February 2020
Whitley BOE ends punishment
By Mark White
(extract)
Corporal punishment is no more in the Whitley County school district.
During its regular monthly meeting Thursday, the Whitley County Board of Education updated its policy and procedures immediately removing corporal punishment as a disciplinary option in the school district.
Currently there is a bill pending in the Kentucky General Assembly, which would ban corporal punishment in all public schools.
Whitley County Superintendent John Siler noted that this is a punishment rarely used in the school district, and that the change is just school district trying to stay ahead of the curve.
"I don't know that the middle school or high school has done this in years. Most of the elementary schools haven't either," Siler added.
The 2020-2021 school calendar was also a topic of discussion at Thursday's meeting.
[...]
Corpun file 26853 at www.corpun.com
The Pampa News, Texas, 27 February 2020
Pampa school board approves corporal punishment, loyalty/incentive programs
By John Lee
(extracts)
The Pampa Independent School District board of trustees held a regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday evening.
The Pampa News sat down with superintendent Tanya Larkin to talk about the meeting and what actions the Board approved.
Ahead of the routine items, the Board held a public hearing on the Texas Academic Performance Report for Pampa ISD.[...]
The Board, in a 4-3 approved move, voted to reinstate the student discipline local policy in regards to corporal punishment.
"They've been talking about the policy since August and we have done surveys, focus groups, research, testimonies, etc." Larkin said. "The Board has taken an exhaustive look at whether or not to reinstate the corporal punishment policy the District once held. It's been a very difficult decision for the Board because they see both perspectives."
Larkin added the 4-3 split is reflective of where people stand on the issue and stressed no corporal punishment will be practiced without the approval of the parents and each case will be treated on a case-by-case basis.
Richard Qualls, Matt Brock, David Godino and Luis Nava voted in favor of the policy. Cay Warner, Denise Intemann and Lance DeFever voted against the item.
"I'm really proud of our District's approach to having the conversation and investigating everything" Larkin said. "No matter where you land [it's important for you to] respect the process, and I think we did a really good job of making sure all voices were heard. The Board had to make a decision and they made a decision based on what they think is the best thing. Even though it was a 4-3, we will move forward with it."
The Board has also approved a compensation plan for high-need, hard-to-fill positions. Larkin said the teacher shortage both in Texas and nation-wide has led to a difficulty in filling positions.[...]
See also: Why Pampa ISD is bringing back spankings -- Illustrated feature article
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