A pair of Washington lawmakers is pushing for a ban on corporal punishment in the nation’s schools, citing a disproportionately high use of the practice among minorities and students with disabilities.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., and Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., want an upcoming education reform bill to put an end to paddling. They say the practice leaves emotional scars and sends the wrong message by essentially teaching students to resort to violence to resolve problems. What’s more, the lawmakers point to statistics showing that physical discipline in schools is more commonly used with students from minority populations and those with disabilities.

While corporal punishment was abandoned long ago in many areas of the country, it persists largely in the South. In 2006, more than 223,000 kids were paddled at school, federal government statistics indicate. And the practice still garners support among some educators and members of the public who say that it can be an effective way to root out bad behavior, reports ABC News. To read more click here.