Legislation to prohibit corporal punishment in Kentucky schools passed out of the House Education Committee Tuesday.
Bill Sponsor Steve Riley served as a school administrator for 19 years in Barren County. He said paddling a student never seemed to result in improved behavior. “Often times it was a situation where you were having kids who were having issues anyway, whether they be at home or wherever. And in their mindset when you did corporal punishment, you did it because you didn’t like them, you hated them rather than you were trying to improve their behavior,” said Riley.
One of the co-sponsors is Northern Kentucky Representative Kim Banta. She has served in three different roles in school administration. Banta noted asking misbehaving students what punishment would be appropriate leads to a deeper discussion.
“When you are talking to them like that you find out that mom left dad the night before, you find out that there’s no food in the house. You find out a lot when you just ask the question ‘what do you think I should do?’ and that’s kind of how I did it,” explained Banta.
Kentucky Youth Advocates supports House Bill 22. KYA Executive Director Terry Brooks said the vast majority of schools have shifted their focus on how best to discipline students. Brooks added corporal punishment is still allowed in dozens of schools across the state. The bill goes to the full House.
People like you value experienced, knowledgeable and award-winning journalism that covers meaningful stories in Central and Eastern Kentucky. To support this locally-produced content, please consider making a contribution.
