Is spanking students allowed in SC public schools? Here’s what state law says
South Carolina is one of the few states in the nation that still allows corporal punishment in public schools.
As students, teachers and parents settle into the school year, here’s what to know about this kind of punishment, what the law says and the South Carolina Department of Education’s policy for school districts.
According to SCDE spokesperson Jason Raven, the department is not aware of any recent incidents.
What is corporal punishment?
In South Carolina, corporal punishment refers to the intentional infliction of physical pain on a student as a consequence for disapproved behavior.
The World Health Organization says that this form of punishment mostly involves hitting, smacking or spanking children with a hand or tool such as a belt, shoe or wooden spoon.
This definition does not include physical pain or discomfort that results from participation in interscholastic sports, physical education or extracurricular activities.
What does SC law say about corporal punishment?
South Carolina law permits corporal punishment in public schools.
According to SC Code 59-63-260, “The governing body of each school district may provide corporal punishment for any pupil that it deems just and proper.”
The law does not mandate that corporal punishment be used and rules about how it’s used are up to each individual district.
What does the SC Department of Education say?
The SCDE aligns its policy with state law. It does not require the use of corporal punishment, but recognizes that each local school board has the authority to decide whether to allow or prohibit it.
Districts and their local school boards can adopt their own policies regarding corporal punishment. Some may choose to allow it, while others may ban it entirely. In any behavioral discipline case, depending on the level of student misconduct, schools must maintain a record of the misconduct and the consequence and/or contact a parent or guardian.
Here’s a snapshot of corporal punishment policies across different school districts:
- Beaufort County School District has a policy that prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
- Horry County Schools has a policy that prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
- Georgetown County School District has no specific policy on corporal punishment, but states that it strives to handle discipline matters at the lowest supervisory level and as reasonably as possible.
- Lexington County School District 1 has no specific policy on corporal punishment, but states that discipline is a means of teaching and will be done in a fair and positive manner.
- Lexington County School District 2 has no specific policy on corporal punishment, but states that discipline is a means of teaching and will be done in a fair and positive manner.
- Lexington County School District 3 has no specific policy on corporal punishment, but states that all discipline enforcement comes from reviews or hearings.
- Lexington County School District 4 states that corporal punishment is allowed and is up to the discretion of the school’s principal.
- Lexington/Richland School District 5 has no specific policy on corporal punishment, but states that all discipline enforcement comes from reviews or hearings.
- Richland County School District 1 says that employee dismissal or termination will follow if corporal punishment occurs.
- Richland County School District 2 has a policy that prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
- Greenville County Schools has a policy that prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
- York County School District 1 has a policy that prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
- York County School District 2 (Clover School District) has a policy that prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
- York County School District 3 (Rock Hill Schools) has no specific policy on corporal punishment, but says that all discipline enforcement will be fair and come from reviews or hearings.
- York County School District 4 (Fort Mill Schools) has a policy that prohibits the use of corporal punishment. This policy also prohibits parents from administering corporal punishment on school grounds.
- Charleston County School District has a policy that prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
- Chesterfield County School District states that corporal punishment is allowed and is up to the discretion of the school’s principal.
A full list of school districts and their policies can be found on the South Carolina School Boards Association’s policies webpage.
To know whether corporal punishment is practiced in a specific district in South Carolina, parents and community members can either review their local district’s policies or contact school administrators directly. Parent consent for the use of corporal punishment may also vary by district.
If a parent believes their child may have been subject to corporal punishment, the SCDE recommends first contacting the school principal, since each district sets its own policies.
What about physical force?
Even in districts where corporal punishment is not allowed, physical force may still be used by school personnel under specific and limited circumstances. These often include:
- Minor or reasonable contact used to maintain order and control.
- Reasonable and necessary force to stop or remove a student from a situation that threatens injury or property damage.
- Force to prevent self-harm by a student.
- Force used in self-defense or to defend others.
- Force to confiscate dangerous items, such as weapons, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia.
- Force to remove a student who fails or refuses to comply with a reasonable and lawful directive from a teacher or administrator.
For more information on corporal punishment or physical force, contact your school district or view your district’s policies online.
