Kentucky lawmakers to consider school paddling ban

Kentucky lawmakers will consider a ban on the use of corporal punishment in the state's schools.

A bill, prefiled by Rep. Steve Riley, R-Glasgow, would ban the use of spanking, shaking or paddling as a means of punishing students. The ban would apply to all school district personnel, including teachers, instructional assistants and athletic coaches.

Kentucky is one of 19 states where corporal punishment in schools is allowed.

It was used to discipline Kentucky students 334 times during the 2016-17 school year, state data show. Nearly 90 percent of those incidents involved male students.

Rep. Jim Wayne, D-Louisville filed a similar bill in 2017, but it did not pass into law. 

Wayne said he was motivated to file the legislation by a conversation with students several years ago. Those students, who attended St. Agnes School in Louisville, said they developed their own corporal punishment ban during a mock government program.

The students are now in high school.

Column:Students call for an end to paddling, spanking and flogging in schools

See also:Kentucky still allows students to be paddled, and this kid wants to stop it

“Most states prohibit corporal punishment in schools and their experience shows that such bans do not lead to more discipline problems in schools,” said Elizabeth George, who now attends Sacred Heart Academy. “In fact, research shows that physical punishment in schools is counter-productive because it tends to make kids more aggressive.”

“Kentucky needs a uniform policy on this issue, not one that changes from district to district,” said Charlie Gardner, a student at St. Xavier High School. “There are more effective ways to discipline a student and correct bad behaviors, including detention, suspension, or expulsion when needed.”

Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, is expected to file a similar bill in the Senate, Wayne said. The General Assembly's 2019 session begins Jan. 8.

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Mandy McLaren: 502-582-4525; mmclaren@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @mandy_mclaren. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/mandym.