BAN THE BOARD: 19 STATES - SCHOOLS STILL ALLOW HITTING KIDS

BAN THE BOARD

19 STATES - SCHOOLS STILL ALLOW HITTING KIDS

It's a tale as old as time: the teacher catches little Timmy talking in class, so she grabs the nearest ruler and gives him a good whack on the hand. Timmy cries, the teacher feels smugly satisfied, and everyone moves on with their day. But is this really the best way to discipline children in schools? Let's take a closer look.

First of all, let's address the elephant in the room: no one likes getting hit with a ruler. It hurts! And it's not just physical pain, either. Being humiliated in front of your peers by someone in a position of authority can be incredibly damaging to a child's self-esteem. So why do we still think that corporal punishment is an effective way to discipline students?

Maybe it's because we've been told that it builds character. After all, if you can survive getting smacked with a ruler, you can survive anything, right? Wrong. Studies have shown that corporal punishment does not improve student behavior or academic outcomes. In fact, it can actually make things worse by increasing children's behavioral problems over time and lowering their self-esteem and self-efficacy. So much for building character.

But what about the argument that corporal punishment is necessary to maintain order in the classroom? Surely without the threat of physical punishment, students would run amok and chaos would reign supreme. Well, not exactly. There are plenty of effective and humane ways of promoting positive behavior and discipline in schools without resorting to hitting children. These include creating a supportive and respectful learning environment; setting clear and consistent rules and expectations; providing positive reinforcement and feedback; teaching social and emotional skills; involving students in decision-making; using restorative justice practices; and providing counseling and support services for students with special needs or challenges.

"But wait," you might say. "What about all those kids who turned out just fine after getting spanked as children?" Ah yes, the old "I turned out fine" argument. Well, here's the thing: just because something didn't harm you personally doesn't mean it's not harmful in general. It's like eating broccoli. Some people love it, some people hate it, but everyone knows it's supposed to be good for you. That doesn't mean we should force everyone to eat broccoli all the time, especially if there are other options that might be more palatable.

And let's not forget that corporal punishment is a form of violence against children that violates their rights to respect for physical integrity and human dignity, health, development, education and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. These rights are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by every country except the United States. By allowing corporal punishment in schools, the United States is failing to uphold its international obligations and protect its own children from abuse.

So what's the bottom line? Corporal punishment in schools is an outdated and harmful practice that should be banned in all states. It doesn't improve student behavior or academic outcomes; it can cause physical and mental harm; it violates children's rights; and there are better alternatives. We can do better than hitting children with rulers. Let's create a safer, healthier, and more peaceful society for our children and ourselves by ditching corporal punishment once and for all.

HEAR ARE SOME FAQS WHY CORPORAL PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE BANNED

Corporal punishment in schools is the practice of hitting, spanking, or otherwise inflicting physical pain on students as a form of discipline. It is still legal in 19 states in the United States², and over 160,000 children are subject to it each year¹. However, this practice is not only ineffective and harmful, but also violates the human rights and dignity of children. Here are some reasons why corporal punishment in schools should be banned.

It does not improve student behavior or academic outcomes

Contrary to the belief that corporal punishment deters misbehavior and motivates learning, research shows that it has no positive effects on student behavior or academic achievement¹. In fact, corporal punishment may increase children's behavioral problems over time and lower their self-esteem and self-efficacy¹. It may also impair their cognitive and socio-emotional development, leading to poor educational outcomes².

It can cause physical and mental harm

Corporal punishment can result in serious physical injuries, such as bruises, welts, cuts, fractures, or even death². It can also cause psychological harm, such as anxiety, depression, anger, aggression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or suicidal ideation². Moreover, corporal punishment can damage the relationship between students and teachers, creating a climate of fear and distrust in the classroom².

It violates children's rights

Corporal punishment is a form of violence against children that violates their rights to respect for physical integrity and human dignity, health, development, education and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment². These rights are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by every country except the United States². By allowing corporal punishment in schools, the United States is failing to uphold its international obligations and protect its own children from abuse.

It perpetuates a cycle of violence

Corporal punishment teaches children that violence is an acceptable way of solving problems and expressing emotions. It also normalizes the use of power and authority to inflict pain and humiliation on others. This can have negative consequences for children's socialization and moral development, as well as for their future relationships and parenting styles². Studies suggest that parents who used corporal punishment are at heightened risk of perpetrating severe maltreatment². Furthermore, corporal punishment may contribute to a culture of violence in society at large, increasing the risk of interpersonal violence, crime, and war².

There are better alternatives

There are many effective and humane ways of promoting positive behavior and discipline in schools without resorting to corporal punishment. These include creating a supportive and respectful learning environment; setting clear and consistent rules and expectations; providing positive reinforcement and feedback; teaching social and emotional skills; involving students in decision-making; using restorative justice practices; and providing counseling and support services for students with special needs or challenges¹². These approaches not only foster student well-being and achievement, but also respect their dignity and rights as human beings.

(1) Corporal punishment and health - World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/corporal-punishment-and-health.

(2) Corporal Punishment in U.S. Public Schools | Society for Research in Child Development SRCD. https://www.srcd.org/research/corporal-punishment-us-public-schools.

(3) Corporal Punishment in U.S. Public Schools: Prevalence, Disparities in .... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5766273/.

(4) School corporal punishment - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_corporal_punishment.

(5) School corporal punishment in the United States - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_corporal_punishment_in_the_United_States.

FOLLOW GEORGE EDGAR WORLEY @no2hitting ON TWITTER

WTF: POVERTY AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

WTF:  POVERTY AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ah, public schools. The place where we send our children to learn, grow, and develop into functioning members of society. Or, if you're poor, the place where you send your children to be suspended, expelled, and generally forgotten about.

Yes, poverty has a significant impact on public schools. It's like the elephant in the room that everyone knows is there but no one wants to talk about. It's the reason why little Timmy can't afford a new backpack or why little Susie can't afford a tutor. It's also the reason why standardized testing measures poverty instead of actual academic achievement.

Let's talk about standardized testing for a moment. You know, those lovely little tests that we force our children to take every year to determine their academic progress. Except, they don't really measure progress, do they? They measure how much money your parents make.

If you're rich, you have access to all sorts of resources that can help you prepare for these tests. You have tutors, enrichment programs, and probably a personal chef who makes you brain food every morning. If you're poor, you have...well, nothing. Maybe a worn-out textbook from 1982 if you're lucky.

But don't worry, there's a solution! Just give poor kids vouchers to attend private or charter schools! Because nothing says "equal opportunity" like an exclusive private or charter school excluding poor, disabled, and troubled students.

And let's not forget about charter schools. Because what's better than publicly funded schools that are run by private organizations? It's like a hybrid of capitalism and education. Who needs experienced teachers and smaller class sizes when you can have a bunch of corporate executives running your child's education just to improve their bottom line?

But wait, there's more! We can also hold schools accountable for student achievement by using standardized tests, graduation rates, and college enrollment rates. Because nothing motivates teachers more than the threat of losing their jobs if their students don't perform well on a standardized test.

And if all else fails, we can just make it easier for parents to choose their children's schools. Because nothing says "freedom of choice" like forcing parents to choose between a failing public school or an exclusive private or charter school that only accepts students with perfect grades and a trust fund.

In all seriousness though, poverty is a complex issue that affects every aspect of our society, including education. We need to address it head-on and provide more resources and support for students from low-income families. We need to invest in our public schools and ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education.

And maybe, just maybe, we can stop using standardized tests as the be-all and end-all of student achievement. Because let's face it, no one wants to be reduced to a number on a piece of paper. Except maybe accountants.

RAND Study Affirms the Importance of Ameliorating Family Poverty as a School Reform Strategy | janresseger https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2020/02/05/rand-study-affirms-the-importance-of-ameliorating-family-poverty-as-school-reform-strategy/ 

Why Poor Schools Can’t Win at Standardized Testing - The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/07/why-poor-schools-cant-win-at-standardized-testing/374287/ 

Diane Ravitch: Standardized Testing Undermines Teaching : NPR https://www.npr.org/2011/04/28/135142895/ravitch-standardized-testing-undermines-teaching 

WILD TIME IN TEXAS WHEN SNAKES START EATING SNAKES

 

WILD TIME IN TEXAS WHEN

SNAKES START EATING SNAKES

It's that time of year again in Texas - snake season! With over 100 species of snakes, including 15 venomous ones, Texans are always on their toes. But this year, the snakes aren't the only ones causing a stir. The Texas Republicans have taken it upon themselves to impeach their own Attorney General, Ken Paxton. 

Now, you might be wondering what snakes and politicians have in common. Well, for starters, they both slither around and can be pretty sneaky. But in Texas, they also have a tendency to eat each other. That's right, when the snakes start eating snakes, you know it's going to be a wild ride.

Let's start with the snakes. Most of them are harmless and will avoid humans if possible. But some can be aggressive or defensive if provoked or threatened. The same goes for Ken Paxton, who has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations of bribery and abuse of office. 

The Texas House of Representatives impeached Paxton on Saturday after 20 articles of impeachment were brought up against him earlier this week. The vote was 121-23, with 60 Republicans joining the Democrats to oust Paxton from his position. This has exposed deep fissures within the Texas Republican Party, with some defending him as a victim of a witch hunt by Democrats and the media, while others denounce him as a corrupt and incompetent leader who has tarnished the party's image.

But Paxton is not going down without a fight. He has called the impeachment an "illegal, unethical, and profoundly unjust" spectacle that is motivated by political interests. He has also claimed that he is being targeted for his work as Attorney General, including his lawsuits against the Biden administration and his defense of Texans' constitutional rights. 

It's like watching a snake eat its own tail - you don't know where it's going to end up. But one thing is for sure, it's going to be a bumpy ride. 

Meanwhile, Texans are advised to be cautious and vigilant when encountering snakes in their yards or on trails. But what about encountering politicians? Well, that's a whole different ball game. 

In Texas, it seems like the politicians are more dangerous than the snakes. They're always slithering around, trying to get ahead and gain power. And when they don't get their way, they turn on each other like hungry snakes in a pit.

But let's not forget the humor in all of this. It's like a real-life soap opera - "As The Republicans Impeach". Who needs Netflix when you have Texas politics?

So, as snake season continues in Texas, residents should be on the lookout for both snakes and politicians. And remember, they're both just trying to survive in their own way - whether that means eating each other or slithering to the top. 

In conclusion, Texas is a wild place where anything can happen - even snakes eating snakes and politicians impeaching each other. But we Texans wouldn't have it any other way. It keeps life interesting and makes for great stories to tell around the campfire. So let's sit back, grab some popcorn, and watch the show unfold.

Story on Texas Senate deliberations on impeached AG Ken Paxton is withdrawn | Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-senate-deliberate-impeached-ag-ken-paxton-2023-05-28/

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeached by fellow Republicans : NPR https://www.npr.org/2023/05/27/1178606035/ken-paxton-impeachment-texas-house-republican-attorney-general-investigation