i havent read this entire thread, so forgive me if i say anything ignorant
but every school ive ever been to in texas has ALWAYS given corporal punishment!!!
the past few years, the student generally gets to choose between corp. punishment OR some other non-violent punishment such as several weeks to several months of AEP (alternative education placement) or being expelled , depending on what happened.
AEP makes most kids rejects after a period of time .
Most students at the beginning of the year are given a general statement that their parents can designate whether or not their child can be paddled or not. I always begged my parents to sign that, but they refused . their philosophy was if the option was still open for punishment than i would be less likely to do anything wrong.
WELL corporal punishment SUCKS but it still happens ALL THE TIME at least in Texas. I would throw a fucking FIT if anyone touched me. Even self defense in school is now considered worthy of punishment. WTF!!