U.S. Education Secretary John King reads to a group of school-aged children. He recently advised governors and state school leaders to do away with corporal punishment.

U.S. Education Secretary John King reads to a group of school-aged children. He recently advised governors and state school leaders to do away with corporal punishment. / U.S. Department of Education

One of the final acts by the Obama administration deals with corporal punishment in schools. In a recent letter to governors and state school leaders, Education Secretary John King called the practice “harmful, ineffective, and often disproportionately applied to students of color and students with disabilities.” Corporal punishment is legal in 22 states, including Georgia. We talk with Georgetown University professor Rebecca Ryan, whose research shows fewer parents are spanking their kids.

Tags: Georgetown University  Rebecca Ryan  Education  Atlanta  Georgia