When the Supreme Court decided that the Constitution requires public school principals to follow procedural due process in suspension and expulsion cases, the Justices recognized a link between procedural due process and the fairness of effective discipline. This report reviews the constitutional due process required when public school officials are investigating allegations of student misconduct and determining disciplinary sanctions, and advocates its use, even when not legally required, as a step toward ensuring fairness in every disciplinary decision. The following topics are discussed: (1) codes and student conduct; (2) constitutional due process and fundamental fairness; (3) constitutional due process for long-term suspensions and expulsions; (4) suspension or expulsion of handicapped students; and (5) conclusion and recommendations. (78 endnotes) (MLF)