In a troubling incident out of Texas, a pair of parents are seeking disciplinary action against a teacher who allegedly paddled their 5-year-old son, Liam, as punishment for misbehavior—without obtaining their consent. It appears that in approximately 40% of Texas school districts, parental permission is still required for teachers to administer such physical discipline. Seriously, Texas?
Maria Johnson shared with news outlets that her son was punished for allegedly making a face at his teacher, something he firmly denies. Meadows Elementary School in DeSoto, Texas, has a policy that permits corporal punishment, and parents are provided with forms to opt-out during the enrollment process. Johnson asserts that she completed the necessary paperwork to refuse corporal punishment when she registered Liam.
“He used to love going to school,” Johnson stated. “Now, he’s terrified. He’s just a little boy; he’s generally well-behaved and doesn’t act out. This isn’t like him.” Due to the incident, her son is now being homeschooled out of fear of returning to the classroom.
Johnson is calling for an apology from the teacher. “The school has not been helpful,” she explained. “Initially, I wanted the teacher terminated. But at the very least, she should apologize. Children need acknowledgment of their feelings.” Apology? How about a criminal charge? Physically harming someone else without consent is, quite frankly, assault. Do children lose their rights to safety just because they are enrolled in an outdated school system that still allows corporal punishment?
An assistant superintendent acknowledged that the teachers involved did not review Johnson’s paperwork before resorting to paddling her son. “We must act in the best interest of all involved. While a termination is not on the table, it is a serious matter,” she commented.
According to a report by Business Insider, the guidelines for corporal punishment in some schools allow teachers to strike students multiple times on their buttocks or upper thighs with a wooden paddle—often around 15 inches long. Some paddles are even crafted from modified baseball bats. How is this still happening?
Without parental consent, such actions equate to assault. It’s shocking to think that in 2016, a parent can sign a form that seemingly waives their child’s right to be free from physical harm. If Johnson hadn’t signed that form, the school had no authority to impose such punishment. Regardless of differing opinions on corporal punishment, it should never occur against a parent’s wishes.
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In summary, the situation raises significant concerns about parental rights and the treatment of children within educational institutions. The need for accountability in such cases is paramount.