Texas Lawmaker to Schools: Put the Paddles Away

A principal-turned-lawmaker is trying to outlaw paddling, spanking, and all other forms of corporal punishment in Texas schools. Legislator Alma Allen's bill would make it illegal for school district employees to get physical to enforce discipline, reports the Houston Chronicle. Many of the state's big cities already ban corporal punishment, but students in smaller districts "need protection from these beatings," says the leader of an advocacy group. Allen has been steadily chipping away at the issue in her eight years as a lawmaker. (More Texas stories.)