Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Term:
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
6.314
05/01/23
Corporal Punishment
Rescinds:
Issued:
6.314
03/01/21
1
1. The principal or assistant principal may use corporal punishment in a reasonable manner
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against a student for good cause in order to maintain discipline and order within the public
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schools in accordance with the following guidelines: 1 Corporal punishment shall be
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administered only after other less stringent measures have failed or if the conduct of a student is
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of such nature that corporal punishment is the only reasonable form of punishment under the
6
circumstances; Prior to administering the punishment, the student's teacher or principal shall
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document that he/she has:
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a. Acted to address the student's behavior;
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b. Provided consequences to the student to address the behavior;
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c. Consulted with the student's parent/guardian; and
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d. Considered the need to conduct an evaluation to determine whether the student has a
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disability per federal law. 2
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14
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2. The instrument to be used shall be approved by the principal;
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3. Corporal punishment shall be administered in the presence of another professional employee;
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4. The nature of the punishment shall be such that it is in proportion to the gravity of the offense,
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the apparent motive and disposition of the student, and the influence of the student's example
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and conduct on others;
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5. Corporal punishment shall only be administered when the school has received written parental
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permission and followed procedures for the appropriate grade band.
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GRADES K - 8:
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Parents of students that persist in violating the school rules and discipline policy in grades K-4 may
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request corporal punishment for their child. The principal or assistant principal will use corporal
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punishment only if the parents have signed a permission form. The principal or assistant principal will
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use customary discretion in the administration of the corporal punishment, but no student should
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receive more than three (3) licks on any given day. Consideration shall be given to the age, size,
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emotional condition, and physical condition of the child.
Version Date: June 14, 2023
Corporal Punishment
6.314
1
GRADES 9 - 12:
2
No corporal punishment will be administered to a student in grades 9-12. Alternative forms of
3
punishment/suspension will be provided.
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STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
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If a student has a disability, corporal punishment shall be administered only when the school has
6
received written parental permission. The parental permission must include the type of corporal
7
punishment that is allowed and the circumstances under which it is permitted. This information will be
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kept on file at the school. It may be revoked at any time. The principal shall notify the
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parent(s)/guardian(s) any time corporal punishment is used.
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A disciplinary record shall be maintained and shall contain the name of the student, the type of
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misconduct, the type of corporal punishment administered, the name of the person administering the
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punishment, the name of the witness present, and the date and time of the punishment.
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Disciplinary records shall be filed in the school office and made available to parent(s)/guardian(s) or
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students, whichever is appropriate.
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The Director of Schools shall develop administrative procedures to implement this policy, including
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applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
Page 2 of 3
Corporal Punishment
6.314
Legal References
Cross References
1.
TCA 49-6-4103; TCA 49-6-4104; TCA 49-6-4402
Code of Behavior and Discipline 6.300
2.
20 USCA § 1400 et. seq.; Public Acts of 2023,
Student Records 6.600
Chapter No. 275
Page 3 of 3

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Corporal Punishment | Descriptor Code: 6.314 | Issued Date: 05/01/23 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 6.314 | Issued: 03/01/21 |