Race and Gender Bias in the Administration of Corporal Punishment

Abstract

The disciplinary actions taken by school building administrators after receiving a discipline referral were examined to identify evidence of race and gender bias in administration of corporal punishment (CP). The relationships between race and CP, and gender and CP, were examined after controlling for the severity and frequency of punishable behaviors by students in each group. Analyses of discipline files (N = 6,244) demonstrated a small, yet statistically significant relationship between race and CP, and a larger, statistically significant relationship between gender and CP. The results indicated evidence of race and gender bias in the administration of CP. Results were discussed with reference to educational and legal issues.