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 Kentucky, school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes, particularly within the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) under the Education Code, and by the policies and procedures of individual school districts. Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title IX, may also influence disciplinary actions, especially when they involve students with disabilities or issues of discrimination. Exclusionary discipline in Kentucky, such as suspension and expulsion, is regulated by KRS Chapter 158, which outlines due process rights for students and the procedures schools must follow. Kentucky is one of the states where corporal punishment is still legal in schools, as per KRS 158.440, although its use is subject to local school district policy and parental consent. However, there is ongoing debate and legislative efforts at both the state and federal levels to restrict or ban the practice of corporal punishment in schools.