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 Louisiana (LA), school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes found within the Education Code, as well as by policies and procedures specific to each school district, whether public, private, or charter. Exclusionary discipline, such as suspension and expulsion, is utilized to remove students from their regular educational environment as a consequence of certain behaviors. Louisiana is one of the states where corporal punishment in schools is legal and can be used as a form of discipline; however, its use is subject to district policies and parental consent. The state's approach to school discipline is also influenced by federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides specific protections for students with disabilities regarding discipline. Additionally, state and federal criminal laws may be invoked for student conduct that constitutes a crime, whether it occurs on school grounds or during school-sponsored events.