To keep students in line, schools can isolate them, deny them privileges, or restrict their activities. They can make them rake leaves, weed lawns, or sweep playgrounds. An opposing view Teachers need right to hit their students By Paul Armstrong Paul Armstrong is principal of the Murphytown and Pleasant Valley schools and president-elect of the West Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals. It is not the only method of discipline and should not be the only punishment. But the option to use it should not be removed.
Responsible educators try other methods of discipline before administering corporal punishment.
The final alternative should be suspension from school after corporal punishment has failed. A 1982 state Supreme Court decision and later legislative action put suspension from school ahead of corporal punishment in the priority of disciplinary actions we can use. But many principals have met with substantially greater resistance to suspension f rom school than we ever received about corporal punishment. In fact, the majority of parents choose, even insist, that a paddling should be the action taken. Psychologists argue against it.