Corporal punishment still prevalent in (FL) schools

[teach1st]

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/7695815.htm

Tallahassee Democrat

JACKSONVILLE - Corporal punishment still exists in two-thirds of Florida's school systems, even though it has been abandoned by most of the larger districts, state records show.

There were 11,000 spanking incidents in the state last year, down from 184,000 in the 1981-1982 school year. Most of the larger school systems - including Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties - haven't used corporal punishment in the past five years.

Duval County leads the state in the number of spankings, with more than 15,000 issued in the last 10 years, according to Florida Department of Education records obtained by The Florida Times-Union for an article published Monday.

"I think it's a punishment that swings either very positive or very negative," Duval County School Board member Vicki Drake said. "There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of middle ground."

[Sapphocrat]

1. As one who was slapped, spanked, pushed, ridiculed, etc., repeatedly...

...by a troupe of sadistic nuns, my wish is that all pro-C.P. teachers be subjected to the same treatment they inflict on their students. Let them deal with the lifelong psychic trauma.

There is no "middle ground." Drake is right about that much -- but sadly misguided if she thinks striking a child could ever swing into the "very positive" end of the spectrum.

[cap]

2. there's too many health issues with corporal punishment...

I wouldn't be comfortable with someone else spanking anyone else's kid.

[trumad]

3. Well I can say this with no hesitation

if someone put a hand on my child they'd get huge ass whooping by yours truly....

[teach1st]

4. I'm surprised Clay County doesn't seem to require parent permission..

..or provide an opt-out:

Still, corporal punishment is an option open to any Clay County school administrator as a final resort without having to notify parents, he said.

As an educator, I can't fathom ever having to use corporal punishment. As a parent, I would never have allowed my (now grown) daughters to be subjected to such.

Stupid.

[amber dog democrat]

5. In 1855

The Navy abolished flogging. Florida has some catching up to do.
We don't even do this in Texas anymore. How does hitting a kid do anything helpful?

[jonoboy]

6. legalised child abuse..