This school year, Illinois will become the fifth state in the U.S. to prohibit corporal punishment in all schools, following new legislation signed by Gov.
JB Pritzker. The ban, which takes effect in January, extends to private schools and reinforces the existing prohibition in public schools that was established 30 years ago.
Illinois now joins New Jersey, Iowa, Maryland, and New York in banning physical punishment like paddling and spanking across all educational institutions.
State Rep. Margaret Croke, who championed the legislation, was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ call to end the practice due to its harmful effects on children’s behavior, mental health, and cognitive development.
The Academy found that corporal punishment disproportionately affects Black males and students with disabilities. The ban aims to eliminate these disparities and protect all children from physical harm.
For more on the debate surrounding corporal punishment and its impact on education, visit 5chicago .
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With this legislation, Illinois sends a clear message that physical discipline has no place in schools, prioritizing the safety and well-being of students across the state.
