Corporal punishment may not be used to discipline students. Reasonable physical force, however, may be used upon a student with or without advance notice when the use of such force is deemed essential by a reasonable person for the purposes of self-defense, to protect school district property, or for the protection of others located on the school district property.
Reasonable physical force should be commensurate with the circumstances of the situation, and it should be moderate so as not to cause permanent physical harm to the student. The following factors should be considered in using reasonable physical force for the reasons stated in this policy:
- seriousness of the offense;
- attitude and past behavior of the child;
- nature and severity of the physical force;
- motivation of the teacher;
- age and strength of the child; and
- availability of less severe but equally effective means of dealing with the situation.
The student’s parents shall be given an explanation of the reasons for the use of physical force upon request.
It shall be the responsibility of the administration to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Ingraham v Wright, 430 U.S. 651, 97 S.Ct. 14021, 51 L.Ed.2d 711 (1977).
Goss v Lopez, 419 U.S. 565, 95 S.Ct. 729 (1975).
Garcia v Miera, 817 F.2d (10th Cir. 1987).
Tinkham v Kole, 252 Iowa 1303, 110 N.W.2d 2258 (1961).
Lai v Erickson, PTCP Admin. Doc. 83-12 (1983).
Iowa Code §§279.8, 280.21 (1991).
281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.3(8).
19480 Op. Att’y Gen. 275.
Cross Reference: 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
503 Student Discipline
Approved: 4-13-92
Reviewed: 12-10-18
Revised: 2-14-96
