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 Washington State, school discipline and punishment are governed by state statutes, particularly those found in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), specifically in the Education Code, as well as by policies and procedures established by individual school districts. Exclusionary discipline, such as suspension and expulsion, is regulated under RCW 28A.600.015 and RCW 28A.600.020, which provide guidelines for when and how schools can impose these disciplinary actions. Washington State prohibits corporal punishment in public schools as per RCW 28A.150.300, which states that no school official may inflict corporal punishment upon a student. Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title IX of the Education Amendments, may also impact school discipline practices, particularly for students with disabilities and in matters involving discrimination or harassment. Additionally, state and federal criminal laws can apply to student conduct that constitutes a crime, whether it occurs on school property or during school-sponsored events.