Raising Good Kids Without Hitting www.stophitting.com

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Sample Letter to State Legislator

For states allowing paddling in schools: AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MO, OH, OK, NC, NM, SC, TN, TX, WY

[date]
Honorable [name of your state representative]
[U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515]

Dear [name]:

Producing responsible, self-disciplined, socially aware students is on the top of every educator's mind these days. Many schools are employing effective programs that, in addition to providing students with a good education, will help mold them into capable members of society. More school districts in our state are putting an end to the archaic use of corporal punishment in favor of more effective methods that produce desirable results.

Here are some of the problems with corporal punishment of school children:

• It results in physical and psychological harm to children including bruises, broken bones, alienation to school and post-traumatic stress syndrome.
• Children most often hit are poor children, boys, those with disabilities, and minorities (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights).
• Litigation is frequently brought against school boards and educators by parents of school-injured children.
• Violence is taught and passed on to future generations by showing that hitting is an appropriate and sanctioned way of dealing with interpersonal problems.

School corporal punishment does not prevent violence or increase academic achievement. Proponents of school corporal punishment usually insist that it is necessary in order to keep control and maintain a learning environment. That is not true. Most states with corporal punishment have lower achievement and graduation rates than states that have banned it. More school shootings have taken place in states with school corporal punishment and seven of ten states with the most paddling also have the highest incarceration rates.

A model bill to end corporal punishment was developed by the National Education Association in the early 1970's. Its language has been used by states banning corporal punishment. For details, visit www.stophitting.com, or call the Center for Effective Discipline at (614) 221-8829. The federal government prohibits physical punishment to train animals under the Animal Welfare Act, the Horse Protection Act and other laws. Are not children deserving of this protection?

Please let me know where you stand on this issue, and if you are willing to help.

Sincerely,
[your name, address, phone, email]