Two decades ago, most school districts in North Carolina allowed the use of corporal punishment as an acceptable form of student discipline. New data released by the Department of Public Instruction earlier this month shows that corporal punishment is now on the decline. Twelve school districts used corporal punishment last year, three of which have since banned the practice. Research has shown corporal punishment is not effective to improve student behavior or academic outcomes, and yet, nine districts continue to hit students.
While most students in North Carolina attend schools in districts that no longer allow the outdated, ineffective practice of hitting students, about 50,000 students matriculate in schools that continue to allow corporal punishment.
Board member John Tate has asked the State Board to recommend that the General Assembly and local school boards prohibit corporal punishment in all North Carolina schools. The issue has been placed on the agenda of the Board’s next meeting on Feb 6-7, and will require a lot of advocacy before the meeting to ensure a positive vote.
Although this is certainly a victory for our efforts to make schools safe spaces for children, there is still work to be done. CONTACT the State Board of Education and tell them that corporal punishment is WRONG for North Carolina schools.
Email the North Carolina State Board of Education Members and let your voice be heard!
Chaiman bill.harrison@dpi.nc.gov
Superintendent june.atkinson@dpi.nc.gov
Lt Gov dan.forest@dpi.nc.gov
Treasurer janet.cowell@dpi.nc.gov
Region 1 jean.woolard@dpi.nc.gov
Region 2 reginald.kenan@dpi.nc.gov
Region 3 kevin.howell@dpi.nc.gov
Region 4 shirley.harris@dpi.nc.gov
Region 5 chris.greene@dpi.nc.gov
Region 6 john.tate@dpi.nc.gov
Region 7 robert.speed@dpi.nc.gov
Region 8 wayne.mcdevitt@dpi.nc.gov
At-Large patricia.willoughby@dpi.nc.gov
At-Large melissa.bartlett@dpi.nc.gov