Laws regarding school discipline and punishment vary from state to state; from school district to school district; and between public schools, private schools, and charter schools. School discipline and punishment laws are generally located in a state’s statutes (often in the Education Code) and further defined in a specific school’s policies and procedures. Federal laws may also apply in particular school discipline contexts. And state and federal criminal laws may apply to certain student conduct that occurs on school property or at school-sponsored events.

Exclusionary discipline is any type of school discipline that removes or excludes a student from their usual educational setting. Two of the most common exclusionary discipline actions are suspension and expulsion.

Corporal punishment is the use of physical force—usually paddling or spanking—to punish a student for misbehavior. Corporal punishment against students is legal in approximately 19 states but is controversial and the subject of proposed state and federal legislation to limit or prohibit its use.

In Alaska (AK), school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes and individual school district policies. Alaska Statutes Title 14, primarily in Chapter 14.30, addresses education and school discipline. The state does not have a statute that specifically authorizes or bans corporal punishment in schools, leaving the decision to permit or prohibit corporal punishment up to individual school districts. However, it is relatively uncommon for districts in Alaska to use corporal punishment. Exclusionary discipline actions such as suspension and expulsion are regulated by state law, which provides guidelines on due process rights for students facing such disciplinary measures. Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title IX, also apply to school discipline in Alaska, ensuring protections for students with disabilities and prohibiting discrimination based on sex, respectively. Additionally, state and federal criminal laws may be invoked for student conduct that constitutes a crime, whether it occurs on school property or during school-sponsored events.