SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6228

BYSenators Kiskaddon, Rinehart and Bailey

Requiring the development and implementation of a positive discipline policy for schools.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1988; February 2, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6228 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Kiskaddon, Vice Chairman; Bender, Gaspard, Rinehart.

Minority Report:  Do not pass as substituted.

      Signed by Senators Benitz, Craswell, Lee.

Senate Staff:Don Bennett (786-7424)

                  February 3, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Research on student discipline and motivation indicates that punishment per se is ineffective and often detrimental. Punishment can be effective in demonstrating the relationship between actions and outcomes and in inducing behavioral changes, provided it is accompanied by support, assistance and the opportunity to demonstrate changes in the future. 

Corporal punishment, researchers conclude, is ineffective, potentially detrimental, and ethically offensive to many educators and laypersons.  A positive school environment encourages positive behavior, promotes individual involvement and responsibility, promotes positive values and enriches the student's school experience.

SUMMARY:

The use of corporal punishment as a means of disciplining students within the public schools is prohibited beginning with the 1990-91 school year.  Corporal punishment includes hitting, spanking, slapping or striking a student.  Physical restraint of a student, when reasonable and necessary to protect a person from physical injury or to prevent the commission of a crime, is not prohibited.

Each school district board of directors shall develop and implement a positive discipline policy that promotes dignity and respect for students and staff, assures orderly classrooms and a positive learning environment, and enables the primary tasks of teaching and learning to take place in the classroom.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to collect and disseminate information and training materials on positive discipline techniques to school districts by July 1, 1990.  Staff training in crisis intervention and positive discipline will be offered to all teachers and staff before commencement of the 1990-91 school year.

The exemption from the child abuse statute which presently applies to parents and teachers using reasonable and moderate physical discipline is amended to remove teachers from its protection.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Each school district board of directors is required to adopt a written policy prohibiting corporal punishment by September 1, 1988.  Such policy shall not prohibit the use of physical restraint when reasonable and necessary toprotect any person from physical injury or to prevent injury to another person or the commission of a crime.

The defense of reasonable and moderate physical discipline is amended such that parents may not authorize teachers to administer corporal punishment. The effective date of this section of the act is July 1, 1988.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:July 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: Carol Mason, Washington Association of Child Abuse Councils (for); Phil Sorensen, Elementary Principals Association of Washington (for); Julie MacGregor, Washington Association of School Psychologists (for); Rev. Dr. Dennis Hughes, Bellevue Presbyterian Church (for); Margie Reeves, Washington Association for the Education of Young Children (for); Dr. Michael B. Rothenberg, University of Washington School of Medicine (for); Kip Tokoda, Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse (for); John Leveque, Washington State Alliance for Children, Youth and Family (for); Sonnia Bean, citizen (against); Karen Hecht Wagner, Stop Abuse (for); Ruth Kagi, League of Women Voters of Washington (for)