Seems like a pretty disgusting example of abuse of power. How can you hit someone, even as a means of punishment, who probably doesn't understand why you're doing it? Exactly what lesson do you believe you are imparting? Its probably you who needs the beating.

"The report, based on federal Department of Education data, said that of the 223,190 public school students nationwide who were paddled during the 2006-7 school year, at least 41,972, or about 19 percent, were students with disabilities, who make up 14 percent of all students."

(And on a side note, this doesn't paint a rosy picture of the American South.)

Full New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/education/11punish.html?_r=1