In the case of Ingraham vs. Wright, the United States Supreme Court ruled that under the eighth amendment school children do not have constitutional protection from the use of corporal punishment. The majority decision relies heavily on assumptions concerning the tradition and effectiveness of the use of corporal punishment in education. In an initial series of investigations, this article demonstrates the fallaciousness of the majority's assumptions. Corporal punishment is not "rarely abused." It does not serve "important educational interests" and its elimination does not result in a lack of "responsibility and decorum." Additional assumptions are also discussed. (Author)