i THINK that all 'public school' schl bd meetings are public,yuo have the right to attend and with preadvice you have the right to express your opinion. and you have the right to vote in your boe members.

IF its a school board policy that allows the practice, and enough parents go to meetings (with their questions submitted in advance so they are sure their voice will be heard) and demand a chnage to the policy, isnt that a way to effect change? the alternative is, yall dont vote those members in again come election time, and vote in people who are more like minded vis a vis corporal punishment.

what does your principal say? surely she/he can influence the teachers as to best practices before the wheels of justice creak along?

probably lots of local politics goin on in your district i am sure. education of the parent body is the best way to go and work in numbers, no matter what path you choose to effect change. but it sounds like youre on the right track.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world, indeed that’s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

I did write to the first Lady, and got the standard reply that my letter was received. In addition to sending her this letter, I enclosed actual photos of injured school children who were paddled by educators. This is a story that needs national exposure. Thanks for reading.

April 26, 2006

First Lady Laura Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear First Lady Laura Bush:

My name is Peggy Dean, and I am on the Board of Directors for a national organization called Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education.

I am writing to ask for the opportunity to meet with you to share data on the subject of corporal punishment in schools, and to introduce you to children who have been injured as a result of school paddling. I am sure that you will be as horrified as I am by this barbaric practice. Surely, our educators have better tools in 2006 than the "paddle," and all properly trained teachers and school administrators understand that classroom management techniques worthy of the name never include violence.

I read with great interest your remarks at the UNESCO Education for the All Week Luncheon about UNESCO's noble effort to make sure that every child has access to a basic quality education by 2015, and I commend you for your comments about your visit last month to Pakistan. You said:

“... Last month in Pakistan, I met with teachers and students involved in UNESCO and Children Resources International programs that improve teacher training and promote family literacy. I talked with Mehnaz Aziz, the Pakistan country director for Children's Resources International. Mehnaz shared with me how over the last three years, CRI has been training teachers in new methodologies. Before, teachers lacked instructional materials, and they used rote memorization and corporal punishment. Now they have money for school buildings, teaching aids and materials, and children can learn through drama and art...”
I am so proud of you for making the public aware that rote learning and corporal punishment have become things of the past in the schools in Pakistan. Now, I would like to challenge you to join our struggle to bring those same reforms to the schools of the United States.
Recently, in his "The True Goal of Education" your husband said this on the subject of school violence:

“... First, we must do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our children. When children and teenagers go to school afraid of being bullied, or beaten, or worse, it is the ultimate betrayal of adult responsibility. It communicates the victory of moral chaos... No parent in America -- no matter their income -- should be forced to send their child to a school where violence reigns..."
Those words have a very special, personal meaning for me as a parent who may be obliged in the coming school year to send a child to a school that is administered by a principal who believes in beating children.
Please help us guarantee the safety of all of our school children. I look forward to hearing from you, and arranging a time to share the concerns of many parents whose children have been struck and injured by educators in our nation. I am certain that you will then wish to join our efforts to end the violence of corporal punishment in all schools in the United States.

Sincerely,

[Signed]

Peggy Dean

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that is the most outrageious thing i have ever heard. talk to your congressperson. if htey too turn a blind eye or deaf ear or dont 'get' the issue, give Mrs Bush a call and let her know whats happenin in 2006 in NC.

sounds like another era, or country, you live in there.

PS Shawn,
Corporal punishment is frequently used as a first line of punishment, not a last resort. It is also used for non discipline issues such as missed math problems, sports mistakes, etc.
Thanks for engaging in dialogue.

Yes, they are physically injuring them. I advocated for change here in NC when a teacher hit a child so hard last year that the child went to the ER, hours after being struck, and his buttocks were covered in bruises and welts.
The ER doctor told the mom it was the worst case of abuse he has seen. The Juvenile Detectives took photos. I have copies, and will not stop until we get a change in law.
End result? The local DA refused to press charges, the local board of ed did nothing, and the State board of ed claims no jurisdiction.
We need legislative change.
I will never agree that a teacher has the right to hit my child with a wooden board.

Are they physically injuring them? If so its a Dept of Edu and State Attorney general matter.

Corporal punishment is a valid discipline response in lots of peoples minds... That and teaching children manners... I beleive in the occassional swat in the behind... so I wont be much help unless they are actually physically beating the children instead of punishing them.