Sample Letter to State Legislator

Download: Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word

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

[date]

Honorable [name of your state representative]
(address of the House of Representatives or Senate at your state capitol)

Dear [name]:
I am writing to ask your support in banning corporal punishment in our public schools.

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 can result 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.

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

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

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