It was the purpose of this study (1) to determine how many states have laws relating to corporal punishment in the public schools; (2) to ascertain the number of states having specific provisions in their education code relating to corporal punishment; (3) to determine the authority which authorizes or prohibits or restricts corporal punishment in each states; (4) to find to what extent the laws relating to corporal punishment are specific; (5) to find how much power the laws give school districts and school personnel; (6) to learn the nature of the regulations set forth by the state department of education, or other authority, concerning corporal punishment (7) to learn of the provisions in the regulations for administering corporal punishment; (8) to examine the laws relating to liability of public officials and school employees in each state; and (9) to prepare a recommendation governing corporal punishment in the public schools to be presented to the California State Legislature.