If a student breaks the rules, shows disrespect or disrupts class, and a school official reacts with a swatting, what lesson does that teach?
That physical violence is an appropriate response to bad behavior.That it's acceptable for people in authority to inflict pain on those over whom they have power.That adults can get away with actions toward minors that they couldn't toward other adults.None of those lessons are conducive to academic progress, and none teach self-control, discipline and responsibility.Why, then, does Texas allow public schools to use hitting students as punishment for acting up?It's an antiquated technique that's largely ineffective, potentially destructive and incongruous in an age when schools are preaching so vociferously against bullying.State Rep. Alma Allen, a retired principal from Houston, has again filed an anti-paddling bill, HB916.Rep. Diane Patrick, an Arlington Republican, is listed as a co-author.The measure ought to get more attention than did a federal proposal last year to end corporal punishment: Filed in June, that bill never even received a hearing.The U.S. House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities did take testimony on the issue in April 2010, though.At that hearing, Colorado high school Principal Jana Frieler said schools should provide a positive, supportive environment, with clear expectations about student conduct and fair consequences rather than punitive ones.That's a challenge, especially in schools that seem to have more than their share of unruly or aggressive students. But creating an atmosphere ruled by threats of spankings can't bring order to chaos. And students who can't be controlled at school without being smacked have not learned proper boundaries at home.Frieler, now president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, said the NASSP opposes corporal punishment."The fundamental need of U.S. education is to find ways of engaging today's students in the excitement of learning. Fear of pain or embarrassment has no place in that process,'' the group's guiding principles state.Also, "Schools have a responsibility to model for and teach our youth methods of exerting authority and modifying behavior that are constructive, humane and provide opportunities for growth."That philosophy apparently isn't universal.In the 20 states where corporal punishment is allowed, it was used on more than 223,000 students during the 2006-07 school year, according to the latest complete figures from the U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights. More than 49,000 of those students were paddled in Texas.Major Texas districts, including Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, Arlington, Mansfield and Keller, have policies banning corporal punishment.But in news stories, the Star-Telegram's Melody McDonald reported that paddling's alive and well elsewhere: Springtown used it 103 times this year; Alvarado 107 times in 2009-10 and 46 this year; Cleburne 72 in 2009-10, five this year; Joshua 30 in 2009-10, 12 this year; Azle 27 in 2009-10, 13 this year; and Burleson 22 in 2009-10, seven this year.Students aren't hit if their parents have opted out of corporal punishment. But that means students can receive different penalties for the same infractions.School boards set codes of conduct and punishment options, which can include in-school or out-of-school suspensions; after-school detention; referral to alternative education programs either on or off campus; placement in the juvenile justice system; or expulsion for the most serious offenses, such as drug dealing, bringing weapons to school, sexually abusing a child and assaulting or killing someone.But the Texas Education Code includes lengthy parameters about penalties and about alternative education programs.The Education Code also states that, "It is the policy of this state to treat with dignity and respect all students."Under no circumstances could whacking a student demonstrate "dignity and respect."Paddling has no place in Texas public schools.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
