New state data: Nearly 6,000 students paddled in Georgia schools

In the 2015-2016 school year, Georgia school districts reported paddling nearly 6,000 students including 991 with disabilities.

The question is why Georgia schools still resort to corporal punishment, a practice banned in the majority of states but still prevalent in the rural south.

“Many districts say corporal punishment is only used with parent permission,” says retired nurse Terry Baradine, a longtime opponent of corporal punishment in Georgia schools. “Schools are supposed to be the shining example of a nurturing learning environment. They are supposed to lead with best practices, not follow worst instincts. How is it possible to set an example for best practices when you still paddle students?”