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 Kansas, school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes, which can be found in the Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.), 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 different regulations and policies regarding discipline. Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title IX, may also influence school discipline, especially when it concerns students with disabilities or issues of discrimination. Exclusionary discipline, such as suspension and expulsion, is regulated by state law and school district policy, ensuring due process rights for students facing such disciplinary actions. Kansas does not permit corporal punishment in public schools, as it is one of the states that have banned the practice. However, private and charter schools may have their own policies regarding corporal punishment. Additionally, state and federal criminal laws may be applicable for certain behaviors that occur on school property or during school-sponsored events.