‘Parents Thank Us’ – US School District Introduces Corporal Punishment

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An American school district would like to use questionable methods to ensure discipline and order in the classrooms in the future. Specifically, caning will be reintroduced in a Missouri district starting this school year. Parents even “thanked” the responsible inspector for this, he confirmed the decision. It wasn’t until 2001 that the highly controversial education measure was abolished in Missouri.

USA Today quoted Cassville School District Superintendent Merlyn Johnson as saying he stepped down from office a year ago with a plan to reintroduce corporal punishment.

Blows with paddle on the buttocks
Parents were recently made aware of a rule approved by the school board in June that would make it possible to hit schools again – but only as a “last resort” and with written parental consent. The authority stressed that they also have the opportunity to decide against this disciplinary measure.

Corporal punishment by hitting the buttocks with a paddle is now allowed – this should only be carried out by a school principal in the presence of a witness. One to two hits are allowed for younger students, but older students can take up to three hits, according to Johnson.

“Very traditional community”
Cassville is a “very traditional community in southwest Missouri,” Johnson continued: Parents have repeatedly expressed frustration that corporal punishment is not allowed in the district. A survey of school staff, parents and students also shows that student behavior and discipline are currently a major problem.

“Why Can’t You Hit My Child”
“The parents said, ‘Why can’t you hit my child?’ and we said, ‘We can’t beat it, our policies don’t support it,'” he said. “There have been discussions with the parents and there are requests from parents that we investigate.”

He also showed no understanding for the criticism that immediately flared up on social media – after all, the local families would have reacted significantly differently: “There were people who thanked us for it,” he said. “The majority of the people I’ve met have supported us.” However, reintroducing the sentence is something “that is done under my supervision and I am okay with that,” Johnson continued.

Evaluation after one year
“We are aware that this is a bit of a shock factor,” he said. “So if a kid or a bunch of kids knows there’s a different kind of discipline, that can change their behavior.”

The U.S. Supreme Court made corporal punishment constitutional in 1977. However, it is up to the individual states to decide whether or not to allow it. Missouri is one of 19 states, mostly in the south, where it is still allowed.

Source: Krone

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