How can I protect my child if my state sanctions physical abuse?
Even if you live in a state that allows physical punishment at school, you can still take steps to protect your child.
Ask for a written copy of the school district's punishment policy. Even if your state sanctions it, your school district may not tolerate physical punishment. If such a district-wide ban is in effect, then every school must adhere to this policy.
Next, find out about the school's policy. The principal or the teacher, respectively, may forbid the use of physical punishment in the school or classroom.
Make your wishes known early. Even if physical punishment is allowed, you can insist that your child not be harmed. Jordan Riak, executive director of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (and author of Plain Talk about Spanking), advises parents to speak up at the beginning of the school year before any disciplinary issues have the chance to erupt. "Don't wait until your child is traumatized," he says.
Put it in writing. Ask a lawyer to draft a letter on legal stationery stating that you are withdrawing your permission for the school to physically punish your child. If you don't have a lawyer, you can write a letter on your own using our template as a guide. Address this letter to your child's teacher, the school principal, the district superintendent, and the state superintendent of education. If you want to add fuel to your letter, Riak recommends telling school administrators that corporal punishment violates your religious beliefs, even if you have other reasons for requesting that it not be used. (Most schools accept and respect this as a reason to not physically punish a child.) When your letter is ready, send it by certified mail to all parties and keep copies for yourself.