Lori Wathen holds a paddle printed with the word “no” to oppose the practice of corporal punishment in schools before an interim study on the subject Monday at the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers discussed on Monday whether corporal punishment is an asset to school discipline, but a coalition of child advocates called for the state to ban public schools from inflicting physical pain on students.
Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, hosted an interim study at the state Capitol to consider the “effectiveness of properly administered corporal punishment.” Olsen said he has no plans to file legislation on the topic but wanted to discuss both sides of the issue.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education in 2020 prohibited schools from using physical force to discipline students with disabilities. A bill failed to pass in the state House this year that would have encoded a similar prohibition in state law.
