From ACLU Online, August 15, 2009
In the 2006 -- 2007 school year, nearly a quarter of a million school children were subjected to corporal punishment in public schools. Impairing Education, a report released this week by the ACLU and Human Rights Watch, finds that students with disabilities -- who have a right to appropriate, inclusive educational programs that give them the opportunity to thrive -- are nonetheless subjected to this violent discipline at disproportionately high rates.
Corporal punishment -- from paddling, to throwing children into walls or floors -- is routine in public schools in many parts of the United States. Impairing Education documents many such cases. No student should be subjected to these abusive forms of discipline, but students with disabilities, who already face extra challenges, can be particularly vulnerable to physical or psychological harm from these punishments.
The use of corporal punishment on children with disabilities violates the right to freedom from cruel, degrading treatment and violence guaranteed to them under international human rights law. Children with disabilities have the right to an inclusive education, yet corporal punishment impinges on this right and creates barriers to their success.
No child should be hit, especially the most vulnerable.
Read Impairing Education, a new report detailing corporal punishment of students with disabilities.
Take Action: Stand with the ACLU against corporal punishment.
Learn about ways you can help end corporal punishment.