[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 12, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING THE ENDING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS ACT OF 2015

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2015

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to end 
the use of corporal punishment in our nation's schools.
  Corporal punishment is a form of physical punishment where someone 
deliberately inflicts pain on another individual in order to punish 
them. In schools, it includes the spanking or paddling of children by 
school officials.
  While corporal punishment in schools has its place in our nation's 
history, it must be banned immediately. Not only is there no conclusive 
evidence that it is actually beneficial in modifying disruptive 
behavior, but it is disproportionately used as a form of punishment for 
African American students and children with disabilities. These 
punishments can result in physical as well as emotional harm to 
children.
  Schools are supposed to be safe places where students are protected 
from harm. They are intended to nurture children as they grow and 
develop. However, 19 states still allow corporal punishments in school. 
Last year, the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) reported that, on average, 
838 children were hit each day in public school, based on a 180-day 
school year. This equates to just over 150,500 instances of corporal 
punishment per year. This statistic is astonishing considering the fact 
that 31 states have already banned corporal punishment in schools.
  This bill would prohibit any educational institution from receiving 
federal funding that allows school personnel to inflict corporal 
punishment on students and creates grants to encourage climate and 
culture improvements in schools which promote positive behaviors.
  Mr. Speaker, corporal punishment is not proven as an effective means 
of disciplining children or modifying disruptive behavior. School 
should be a safe space for children to learn, grow, and develop, not 
live in fear of those who have been charged with their academics. I 
urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

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