Georgia Must Repeal Corporal Punishment in Schools

[undertheboardwalk]

Open Letter to Georgia Lawmakers

We are writing you today regarding the new ACLU report called “Impairing Education” that was released in August 2009. Please download the report here: http://www.hrw.org/node/84950 . This study/report chronicles the problem with corporal punishment in schools and particularly focuses on the problems within the state of Georgia. We believe that corporal punishment in schools is inappropriate, ineffective and can be an abusive practice, particularly for the most vulnerable and at risk youth in our great state. We believe this practice is negatively affecting student achievement for minority and disabled students. The ACLU report found that minority and disabled students were subject to this practice more often.

One district reported over 2,300 ‘corporal punishments’ in 2008 records. We believe that these figures indicate that the practice is not working and it is likely that the same students are repeatedly paddled over and over again, with no positive result.

We are asking the Georgia State department of Education to issue an immediate moratorium on the use of corporal punishment in all of Georgia schools, including alternative education settings and we want the Georgia Legislature to Repeal Corporal Punishment in Schools Immediately. This practice is inappropriate for 21st Century classrooms. As stakeholders in the Georgia public school system, we fear for the safety of our children and that of others. We are keenly aware of the statutes governing corporal punishment in Georgia; namely: O.C.G.A 20-2-730; O.C.G.A. 20-2-731; and O.C.G.A. 20-2-732 as well as statutes 20-2-1000 and 20-2-1001 that speak to criminal and civil immunity of educators. We believe that districts are not conveying to stakeholders that if a parent is against corporal punishment that they have the opportunity to submit a letter in writing signed by a licensed medical professional stating it would be physically or mentally harmful for the child. If this was adequately conveyed to parents, we believe the number of corporal punishments would be far less than what was reported to the State Department of Education and what was investigated by the ACLU. We are concerned with closing the achievement gap so that Georgia can compete nationally and globally. We also believe that corporal punishment in school can negatively impact students; can subject students to the possibility of severe injuries, and can cause mental harm that can last a lifetime. Please read the study by Dr. E.T. Gershoff –“ What research tells us about the Physical Discipline of Children” - http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/PDFs/principles_and_pra... .

Please issue an immediate moratorium on Corporal Punishment in Georgia schools, to include alternative education settings.
We look forward to hearing from you regarding the status of our request.

Sincerely

Signed by parents and stake holders in the Georgia public school system


Write to the georgia Lawmakers by a doing a look up here:
http://www.legis.state.ga.us /