Major Disputes Over Corporal Punishment
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Return of the Rod?
A bill to reinstitute corporal punishment is moving through the Legislature and causing a good deal of comment.
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Bill Particulars
* Principal must generally approve punishment, but not each specific instance.
* Principle must prepare guidelines to identify punishable offenses.
* School personnel must administer punishment with another adult present.
* Parents may request a written explanation.
* Paddlers are exempt from civil and criminal liability, except in the case of excessive force or cruel or unusual punishment.
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Background
* 23 states, including Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Flordia, allow corporal punishment.
* Nine states, including California, prohibit corporal punishment except to halt disturbances.
* Corporal punishment in California was banned in 1986 by the Legislature.
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