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From: smh@rduxb.UUCP (henning)
Newsgroups: net.kids,net.legal,net.politics
Subject: Re: corporal punishment in schools
Message-ID: <658@rduxb.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 27-Aug-85 13:42:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: rduxb.658
Posted: Tue Aug 27 13:42:23 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Aug-85 20:09:43 EDT
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> I've discovered an odd situation here in Pennsylvania.
> Corporal punishment, administered by a paddle, is occasionally used
> in our local district.  It is "legal" in a curious way: is used
> fairly infrequently: perhaps half a dozen times a year, officially.
> But public (and private) school students are in
> a unique legal and moral situation, where, without appeal, they may be
> subjected to the pain and humiliation of a semi-public (it must be
> witnessed) beating.

In Pennsylvania, public school teachers including my wife have the
rights of a parent in disciplining a child.  If a parent can spank
a child, then the teacher can.  Any other restrictions are provided
by the local school board. No one has the right to beat a child in Pa.
The reason spanking is prohibited or restricted in most Pa. schools
is due to the parents that sue school districts.

The most important item in school discipline, is that it be consistent
and enforced.  Kids respect rules and parents and teachers that care
enough about them try to teach them right from wrong and instill in 
them a sensitivity to antisocial behavior.

Believe me, I don't envy my wife one minute spending each day in
classrooms with 35 eight and ninth graders.  Teachers need to keep
discipline or the taxpayers are just wasting their money on the
teachers and more importantly, denying other children their education.