Georgia's law leaves it up to local school systems to decide if they want to use corporal punishment. Although the state Department of Education does not keep track of how many students are subjected to corporal punishment and in which of Georgia's 186 school districts it is used, an estimated 2 million incidents occur nationwide annually. It is also banned from city of Atlanta and Fulton County public schools. Major professional organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association have taken stands against corporal punishment. Based on incidents reported to the federal government, the 10 top swatters among the states are Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, Missouri and Kentucky, Temple's corporal punishment report said, adding more punishment is inflicted in rural areas than suburban areas.
Corporal punishment can harm students both emotionally and physically, some educators say.
It isn't just bad for your child, it's bad for all children. State lawmakers offer differing views on the need to discipline students through corporal punishment. I would be opposed to repealing it completely. Using psychological techniques and skills are just as productive as physical punishment.