Corporal
Punishment in Schools
Introduction
Spanking
in Missouri schools still occurs today, as corporal punishment remains
a legal disciplinary option. Missouri state law requires every public
school board in Missouri to have a written statement addressing the school's
policy on corporal punishment and, if it is allowed, how it will be
used.
Opponents of corporal punishment view it as violent and
ineffective, and they instead suggest alternative punishments.
Supporters of corporal punishment, however, cite its immediate impact
on behavior and see it as a viable option for correcting poor actions.
Some legislators would like to eliminate the option of corporal punishment from public schools in Missouri. Several
bills attempting to ban corporal punishment in Missouri schools have
been introduced in recent years. Many never made it past committee, and
one failed on the House floor in 2002 by a vote of 109-14. The issue
has again surfaced in the current legislative session with a bill that
seeks to ban all forms of corporal punishment in Missouri public
schools.
Bill
Information and Links
HB 1055
Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Fraser
Co-sponsored by Rep. Cathy Jolly
This bill
would prohibit any form of corporal punishment in Missouri schools. It
was introduced to the House in January and referred to the House
Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education.
Public Opinion
Many parents and school officials disagree on the effectiveness of
corporal punishment and whether or not it is morally right or wrong.
Furthermore, individuals on both sides of this debate also disagree on
how extensive a role the state government should play in this arena.
Several organizations and movements attempt to discourage the spanking
of children both at home and in schools (see below for links to these
organizations). While fewer organized groups exist on the opposite
side, many individuals have spoken in support of corporal punishment in
some form or another. As with many of the other isssues addressed by
this site, this controversial topic is unlikely to be resolved any time
soon.
What's
Happening in Other States
Corporal punishment at school is banned in approximately 28 states and the District of Columbia. Click here for an overview from the National Coalition to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools.
Helpful Links
News stories on
the proposed legislation
Kansas City Star--featured on Project No Spank's website (11-30-05)
Other
Links
Corpun: Corporal Punishment Research
This
site features a great deal of research on corporal punishment and bills
itself as being an objective source and neither opposing or supporting
its use.
The Center for Effective Discipline: National Coalition to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools
A website providing facts and information on child discipline, including information on corporal punishment at home and school.
Project NoSpank
A national effort to stop corporal punishment in American homes and schools.
National Education Association (NEA): Debate on Corporal Punishment
An interesting point-counterpoint argument featured in the
organization's September 2005 newsletter providing oppositve viewpoints
on corporal punishment.
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Discipline
Provides answers to frequently asked questions from parents concerning
discipline in Missouri schools, including those addressing corporal
punishment.
U.S. Department of Education 2002 Survey Data Generator
This
site will allow you to search a variety of data from Missouri public
schools (including statistics on corporal punishment). If your school
district is included, you should be able to find out how many students
in the district received corporal punishment that year. You can also
research trends by backtracking through the site to obtain data from a
similar 2000 study.
Reporting
Tips
Why this story is worth
reporting
Many individuals are surprised to learn that corporal
punishment at school is still legally permitted in many states. Awareness of this
fact is an important first step to a debate on whether or not it should
be.
Furthermore, corporal punishment has a potential impact on every
student attending a public school in Missouri. It is
also an important issue for the consideration of teachers and school
administrators.
A report on this legislation would not only be beneficial to
encouraging debate on corporal punishment, but it also makes for a very
interesting and unique story.
Interesting facts
April 30 was National Spank Out Day. Read here for more information.
According to The National Coalition to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools:
- In 2000, there were approximately 342,000 students in the United States that received corporal punishment at school.
- Every industrialized nation in the world--with the
exception of the United States, Canada and one state in Australia--prohibits corporal punishment in schools.
According to an ABC News story,
a survey showed that while 65% of Americans approve of spanking
children, 72% do not believe it should be permitted in school.
According to a Kansas City Star article, approximately 6,875 Missouri students received corporal punishment at school in the 2002-2003 school year.
Who
to Interview
Talk to your school's
administrators and find out if your local school board has formally
banned corporal punishment. If not, is it ever used? How often and
under what circumstances?
Gauge the opinions of parents concerning corporal punishment in schools. Try to find individuals on both sides.
Talk to students to find out their
thoughts on corporal punishment. Do they think it is fair? How would they
react to corporal punishment as opposed to other disciplinary
action?
Sidebar/Infographic/Photo
Ideas
Your school's policy regarding corporal punishment.
Quotes or polls of students, teachers, parents or administrators.
Statistics on your school's use of corporal punishment (see the U.S. Department of Education site mentioned above).
MoStuGov