This report is a 1983 update on corporal punishment prepared for the Illinois State Board of Education. It gives a historical perspective and reviews the practices in selected states and metropolitan districts. Corporal punishment is allowed in 46 states; 4 states prohibit it. Among large school districts in metropolitan areas there is a tendency to prohibit or restrict the use of corporal punishment. Many states and districts have provided safeguards for the protection of students from misuse of corporal punishment. The report includes a limited literature review representing advocates and opponents of corporal punishment. Included are tables providing information on the use of corporal punishment in selected states and in selected large cities, and on the positions agencies and organizations take on the issue. Federal law leaves the regulation of corporal punishment primarily to the states. In Illinois the "in loco parentis" status of the schools is interpreted differently by different agencies, and the school code does not specifically address corporal punishment. Research is inconclusive as to the benefit derived from corporal punishment. The report points out that the majority of the available literature is written in opposition to corporal punishment. (MD)