Bill would ban school corporal punishment
New York Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy in her office in Washington, D.C. (July 21, 2011) Credit: Eli Meir Kaplan
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy will reintroduce Thursday her bill to ban schools from paddling students, a legislative measure that stirred a national debate last year but died in a congressional committee.
The bill would withhold federal funds from public and private schools that allow corporal punishment of students, McCarthy (D-Mineola) said in a conference call Wednesday.
"Schools are the only institutions in America in which striking another person is sanctioned," she said.
About 200,000 students a year are spanked each year in the 19 states that allow student paddling, she said. African-American students are disproportionately affected, she added. The practice is banned in New York.
Proponents of school corporal punishment say it's just one more tool for teachers to maintain discipline in class.
McCarthy acknowledged her bill did not make it out of committee last year -- and may not again this year. But she said she'll keep fighting for it.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.
