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 Florida, school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes within the Education Code and are further detailed in the policies and procedures of individual school districts, including public, private, and charter schools. Exclusionary discipline, such as suspension and expulsion, is used to remove a student from their regular educational setting as a consequence of certain behaviors. Florida law permits corporal punishment in schools, although its use is controversial and subject to district policy. Each school district in Florida adopts its own code of student conduct, which must be reviewed by the school board annually. Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title IX, may also influence school discipline when it involves students with disabilities or issues of discrimination. Additionally, state and federal criminal laws can apply to student conduct that constitutes a crime, whether it occurs on school property or during school-sponsored events. It's important to note that while corporal punishment is legal in Florida, its application varies widely, and some districts have chosen to ban the practice.