Indiana & Kentucky Allow Corporal Punishment in Schools: Should It Be Abolished?

Last week, as I was pouring through my child's Student Handbook, I came across a paragraph that kind of surprised me. The words, "Corporal Punishment" initially caught my eye.

I was surprised to learn that there's nothing in Indiana state law that prohibits corporal punishment in schools. Indiana is one of 19 states that allow corporal punishment in schools, according to the Center for Effective Discipline. According to Code Section: 20-8.1-5.1-3, teachers can take disciplinary action as necessary to promote orderly student conduct in the same manner a parent may. It's up to the school district if and how they will use corporal punishment.

Seventeen Kentucky counties still employ corporal punishment practices as well to discipline students. The articles states that, "Seven districts used it less than 10 times, and three districts used it more than 35 times in 2016-17, according to data from Kentucky Youth Advocates."

During the 2013-2014 school year, 30 schools in 17 public Indiana school districts recorded a total of 239 instances of corporal punishment and over 75,000 suspensions. The above paragraph states that the corporal punishment is in lieu of suspension, meaning your child wouldn't miss class time. You can choose to opt out of the corporal punishment and instead punish your child by missing school and assignments which can put them behind in their grades as well. My child's district has made it clear that though the schools don't employ the practice of physically disciplining students, it's still in this year's handbook.

I clearly remember a couple of kids in elementary school who made their way to the principal's office routinely for spankings. They had to wait their turn on "The Red Bench," which was reserved for over achievers (ME) receiving accolades and awards, sick children awaiting a parent to pick them up, and those about to walk the green (or in this case red) mile.

So how do you feel about Corporal Punishment in Indiana Schools? Would or did you opt out? We want your opinions today!