U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona wrote to Governors, Chief State School Officers, and School District and School Leaders and urged them to end corporal punishment in schools—the practice of paddling, spanking, or otherwise imposing physical punishment on students. This letter reinforces the Department of Education's (Department's) position that corporal punishment in schools should be replaced with evidence-based practices, such as implementing multi-tiered systems of support like Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, that create a safe and healthy school environments. Every student and educator should feel safe and supported inside of school buildings; and more importantly, schools should always be free from the threat of violence.
Read MoreThousands of schools have adopted comprehensive, appropriate, and effective programs such as PBIS that have demonstrated an ability to: (1) reduce disruption and misconduct; (2) support and reinforce positive behavior and character development; and (3) help students succeed. Successful programs may incorporate a wide range of strategies to reduce misbehavior and maintain a safe learning environment, including conflict resolution, restorative practices, counseling, and structured systems of positive interventions including PBIS and MTSS.
Read MoreHere is a useful guide to Federal Funding Sources specifically for these types of programs. Keep in mind that many federal programs come and go with different administrations minding the White House or the DOE, so this is just a guide.
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