Texas law still permits corporal punishment in public schools. The law defines it as deliberately causing physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping or using other physical force as discipline. However, a school district must first adopt a policy allowing it. Parents can prohibit the punishment for their child by submitting a written, signed statement each school year.
Now for the good news—at least for Lubbock students.
Lubbock Independent School District removed corporal punishment from its discipline policy in 2020. The district’s current 2026–27 Student Handbook says students may not be spanked, paddled or subjected to other physical force as punishment…