A majority of independent school districts across Texas institute a local board policy that allows corporal punishment to be used as a method of discipline, including seven of the 10 districts in Ellis County. A total of 638 districts across Texas include a local policy to allow the administration of corporal punishment, said Theresa Gage, senior communications consultant with the Texas Association of School Boards. According to TASB, corporal punishment is defined as, "the deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, or any other physical force used as a means of discipline...
