Missouri should revamp its approach to school discipline

By: Dennis Boyd Jr.

Outlets: Missouri Independent

Published: February 20, 2026

Words: 943

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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Corporal punishment is still on the books in Missouri and used in some schools. The practice is from an earlier era, rooted in tradition that prioritizes compliance over learning and punishment over development. The logic behind corporal punishment continues to shape extreme disciplinary practices that conflict with what evidence shows supports healthy development.

Since 2015, Missouri has seen 33.5% increase in disciplinary incidents.

Decades of developmental science show the …

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