Which Houston-area school districts allow corporal punishment?

Parents can opt out with annual written notice

Christian Terry, Digital Content Producer

Published: August 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM

Corporal punishment in schools may seem like a thing of the past, but it is actually still an option in some schools across the state.

While it is not used in every school, it is an option if a school board decides to adopt a policy where it can be used.

What is the law?

Under the Texas Education Code, a school may use corporal punishment, provided the district’s school board has adopted a policy allowing it.

However, there are limitations to when and how it can be used.

For example, a parent can opt out their child, but they must submit a written, signed prohibition to the school board. The opt-out statement must be submitted each school year and may be revoked in writing at any time.

Texas corporal punishment: Port Arthur ISD student speaks out after paddling

Corporal punishment excludes reasonable physical activity and authorized restraint. In other words, a teacher getting physical with a student doesn’t automatically make it corporal punishment. An example would be if a student is about to hurt themselves or someone else and a teacher has to hold them back. And PE class doesn’t count either

However, aversive techniques, such as electric shock, pain-inducing pressure, suffocation, chemical restraint, degrading treatment, or harmful immobilization are prohibited.

Which Houston-area school districts allow corporal punishment?

Texas law allows for the use of corporal punishment, but it is up to each district’s school board to decide whether to allow its use for student discipline.

According to the Education Code, parents or guardians must sign a written statement and send it to the board of trustees of their district to prohibit the use of corporal punishment on their children.

KPRC 2 News contacted 20 school districts in the Houston area about their corporal punishment policies following an incident involving a Port Arthur student who was paddled.

We also contacted the TEA about the process for corporal punishment.

While the station is waiting to hear back from these districts, it has found that some student handbooks posted online indicate that districts require parent or guardian authorization to permit corporal punishment.

We’ve attached several districts’ student codes of conduct and student handbooks that indicate how faculty can use corporal punishment in the classroom: