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 Ohio, school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes within the Ohio Revised Code, particularly in the sections relevant to education, and by the policies and procedures of individual school districts. Ohio law allows for exclusionary discipline measures such as suspension and expulsion, with specific procedures and limitations outlined in the statutes. For example, Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.66 details the circumstances under which a student may be suspended or expelled and the due process rights afforded to students in such cases. Corporal punishment in Ohio schools is prohibited by state law. Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, also impact school discipline by providing additional protections for students with disabilities and prohibiting discrimination, respectively. Additionally, certain student behaviors may fall under state and federal criminal laws if they occur on school property or during school-sponsored events.