Student paddling sanctioned

St. Petersburg Times ^ | August 20, 2003 | BRADY DENNIS

[Cincinatus' Wife]

TAMPA - Hillsborough County School Board members on Tuesday made it official: They support corporal punishment in county schools.

They also made one caveat very clear: It should be used only as a last resort.

The most recent debate over corporal punishment surfaced last week when School Board member Jennifer Faliero recounted seeing an 8-year-old boy cursing and screaming in the office of an elementary school.

At a workshop on Aug. 12 where board members were discussing the hundreds of children who are expelled, suspended and transferred because of behavioral problems, Faliero asked board members to make a strong statement that paddling students is acceptable in some cases.

She also said at the meeting that she would like to see paddling used in the younger grades.

Faliero has state law and school district policy on her side - both allow corporal punishment.

But many principals hesitate to spank students for fear of lawsuits. Two local principals were added to the state's child abuse list for spanking children several years ago.

Board members on Tuesday also seemed hesitant to appear too gung-ho about paddling.

"My preference would have been to word it that the School Board does not endorse corporal punishment," said member Carolyn Bricklemyer, who made Tuesday's motion. "I personally don't support it, but it's the law."

Most board members agreed that spanking should be used only when "all other means of student discipline have been exhausted."

Faliero added that parents who do not support spanking should notify school officials in writing to seek some other course of action, and that their wishes should be followed.

Only Doris Ross Reddick spoke out in opposition of Tuesday's motion, which passed easily. She cited inconsistencies which might arise in the application of paddlings, as well as her personal aversion to them.

"I don't like corporal punishment," she added, voting against the measure. "Some children are going to (misbehave) anyway."

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"persistently dangerous" - School-safety rankings - or just black marks? ***But national statistics of school crime, say experts, seem to indicate that more schools should qualify for the classification. In 2000, 72 of every 1,000 students ages 12 through 18 reported being victims of crimes at school. The average far exceeds most states' requirements for a dangerous school.

At the heart of the discrepancy may well be a reluctance on the part of educators to report campus crime fully. A survey by the National Association of School Resource Officers found that 89 percent of school police believe crime is already underreported. "It's the scarlet letter in education today," says Mr. Trump. "Administrators have said to me privately that they would rather be academically failing than be a dangerous school." ***

[ppaul]

Schoolroom Strap Faithful copy of a traditional four-tailed school punishment strap crafted from dense brown saddle-hide. The business end of the strap consists of a single layer of leather, approximately 3/16" (4mm) thick. The handle is double-thickness, glued and riveted, resulting in a well-balanced, practical instrument. Overall measurements are 20" x 2" (508 x 50mm).

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Nospank.net MISSION STATEMENT - The organization PARENTS AND TEACHERS AGAINST VIOLENCE IN EDUCATION takes the position that children should no longer be excluded from the legal protections against assault and battery that apply to adults. Moreover, the defense of children should be more vigorous because they are more vulnerable; because the consequences of their early mistreatment are difficult to reverse; because damaged children tend to grow into damaged adults who are likely to avenge themselves in one way or another. If they will not harm others, then they will likely harm themselves, and they may passively support the mistreatment of children perpetrated by others. Current research in the field of child development overwhelmingly confirms the theory that the earlier and the worse the mistreatment of children, the worse the outcome.

We believe that the information we offer to professionals in the healthcare and educational fields and to parents and other childcare providers by means of our Web site and printed literature can lead the way to a healthier and more peaceful society governed by the principles of nonviolence-based interactions for all.

Board of Directors, 2002

________________________________________________

I'd like to see a group called PARENTS AND TEACHERS FOR EDUCATION IN EDUCATION

[Prodigal Son]

"I don't like corporal punishment," she added, voting against the measure. "Some children are going to (misbehave) anyway."

There's always going to be a bad apple even if you threatened to shoot the kids with a machine gun. But, I remember when corporal punishment was banned and the behavior in classrooms changed almost immediately. That paddle does have a distinct deterring effect on most kids.

[jimtorr]

Current research in the field of child development overwhelmingly confirms the theory that the earlier and the worse the mistreatment of children, the worse the outcome.

Not applying physical punishment for physical misbehavior is a mistreatment of children in and of itself.

When discipline is not applied with a firm but gentle hand in the early school years, people can be damaged for life......both the children who needed firm discipline and the child victims of the same. Victims of the undisciplined child and victims of the bad example of no discipline.

Corporal punishment, when applied properly, is a very good method of direct punishment for specific offenses.

[Unassuaged]

Spanking works, but I would not trust most people to do it properly (Girls paddled for tardyness or face suspention, for exapmle--an obvious sexual perk of the job). It has caused a lot of warped psychies.

[Yeti]

applied with a firm but gentle hand

Ah, yes. Cute language.

"Gentle" beatings by government officials -- that's what kids these days need!

[tkathy]

I would not trust one single teacher to whack on kids. This is not a solution to anything.

[Mr. Bird]

I was subject to the paddle in Central Florida in the 80's. They had to get the parents' permission prior to laying a hand on you, so the parent could judge both the nature of the offense as well as the person doing the paddling. If they couldn't reach a parent, the alternative punishment was applied.

It wasn't much of a deterrent for me; I preferred some licks over staying after school. But it hurt like hell.

[Tax-chick]

I think parents should be responsible for discipline. If children are out of control, send them home to their parents with NO OTHER PUBLICLY-FUNDED option. It's obvious that many parents need some major financial motive to do their job, so give it to them!

[GrandMoM]

BUMP

[John O]

On the other hand the bible says spare the rod and spoil the child. Seems that roughly 3000 years of well raised kids trumps a panel of liberals any day.

[John O]

The answer to lawsuits is an ironclad contract with the parents prior to the start of the school year. In this contract the parents give authority for the principle to administer corporal punishment (under select guidelines).

If the parents refuse to sign then any time the child misbehaves, even for the slightest offense such as talking in class or being 30 seconds late, call the parent and have them come and remove their child from the school for the day. preferably within the first thirty minutes of the school day. Let the parents know that the child is not welcome until the parent comes during the day for an immediate conference and a required rest of the day suspension.

Do this every day until either the parent signs or the child is so well behaved that you have no excuse to call the parent. In either event the problem goes away.