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 Iowa, school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes found in the Iowa Code, particularly within the Education Code, and are further detailed in the policies and procedures of individual school districts. Public schools, private schools, and charter schools may have varying approaches to discipline. Federal laws, such as those ensuring students' civil rights, can also influence school discipline practices. Exclusionary discipline, including suspension and expulsion, is used in Iowa schools, but must comply with due process requirements and state regulations that aim to ensure fairness and non-discrimination. Iowa is one of the states where corporal punishment in schools is not permitted. The state prohibits the use of physical force as a form of punishment in educational settings, aligning with a broader national trend towards non-physical disciplinary methods. Additionally, certain student behaviors that are criminal in nature may be subject to state and federal criminal laws, regardless of whether they occur on school property or during school-sponsored events.