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 Indiana (IN), school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes, which can be found in the Indiana Code, particularly within the sections pertaining to education. These laws provide the framework for how public schools, private schools, and charter schools handle discipline, including the use of exclusionary discipline such as suspension and expulsion. Indiana law allows for both in-school and out-of-school suspensions, as well as expulsions, under certain conditions. The specific grounds and procedures for these disciplinary actions are detailed in the Indiana Code and are further elaborated upon in the policies and procedures of individual school districts. It is important to note that while corporal punishment is legal in some states, it is prohibited in Indiana public schools by state law. Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title IX, also impact school discipline by providing additional protections for students with disabilities and prohibiting discrimination, 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.