Vote to Protect Children in North Carolina Schools

Lawmakers Back Spanking Ban For N.C. Schools

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Lawmakers said they will introduce a bill Wednesday that would ban corporal punishment in every public school across North Carolina.

The idea has the backing of groups that represent teachers, administrators, parents and children.
June Atkinson, the state superintendent of public instruction, said there's no need to spank an unruly child these days. She said teachers have other options to teach discipline and reward good behavior.

State Rep. Martha Alexander said she was inspired to introduce the bill after hearing about a case in Robeson County last year. In that instance, a 12-year-old boy made a friend cry by poking him in a game. He was severely bruised by a teacher's spanking and had to visit the emergency room.

Forty-seven school districts in North Carolina ban corporal punishment, while it's allowed in 68 districts -- or about 59 percent. North Carolina is one of 21 states that allow corporal punishment, though many of those states let local school districts set policies against it.

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