Schools generally employ a hierarchy of punishments for infractions of rules. While there are variations between types of school, boarding and day schools, with not all being applied in all cases, the hierarchy is generally reasonably consistent.

Writing lines

Writing lines is a form of punishment handed out to misbehaving students by people in a position of authority (teachers, prefects etc...) at schools all across the world.

Writing lines involves copying a sentence on to a piece of standard paper or a chalkboard as many times as the punishment-giver deems necessary. The actual sentence to be copied varies but usually bears some relation to the reason the lines are being given in the first place, e.g. "I must not talk in class."

Shortcuts

Many students use an alternative method to write their lines, thinking they are getting the task completed much quicker. Rather than writing the lines a sentence at a time, they will write them a word at a time. For example, for the line "I must not talk in class," the student would first write the word "I" down the left hand side of his paper. Once this is complete, he will then write "must" next to "I" to the bottom of the page. This is repeated until the lines are complete.

Although this feels a lot quicker, obviously the same number of words are being written either way so in theory it should take just as long. However, it is possible that if a student believes the method is quicker, he will work harder anyway and thus finish more quickly than a student completing lines the conventional way (see placebo effect). Many students actually do finish more quickly because they are able to write the words faster when writing the same one over and over.

Another trick frequently used is the use of multiple writing implements.

Detention

Detention is a form of punishment used in schools, it involves a pupil staying behind after school or coming back at certain times in the school day.

Detention is typically carried out in a room that offers little to no amenities for pleasure, though usually thought to be a one-reason-punishment, there are other reasons below why it be may used:-

• Failing to hand homework in on time.
• Misbehaving.
• Being late to school more than once.
• Not turning up at a previous detention.

Detention also involves the pupil or pupils to come back after school is over and homework may be completed in the detention time length. Pupils may also have to come back at breaks during the day, such as lunch and break and complete unfinished homework or classwork that has not been completed in casual time (at home) or work time (at school).

Detention is considered one of the milder punishments available to a school. Multiple detentions may also be handed out for various or other serious offences. However, if detention fails to correct the student's behaviour, more severe punishments such as Suspension, exclusion, or Expulsion may be used.

Corporal punishment

In decline in the West (and illegal in many countries) but still practiced in some places. Students may be struck with the hand or an implement (favourites being a ruler across an open hand, a cane across the hand, a slipper or a cane across the buttocks). Sometimes conducted in private, sometimes in public (e.g. at assemblies) to deter other students.

Report

Report is a punishment often used in schools for persistent and serious bad behaviour, such as truancy. Generally it is the strongest measure taken against a student that allows them to remain in lessons.

Typically a student is given a report card, which he or she carries to classes at school. At each lesson the teacher in charge of the class completes and signs a box on the card confirming the student's presence at the lesson and commenting on his or her attitude. In some cases there will also be a place for a more senior teacher and the student’s parent or guardians to confirm they have read the report at the end of each day. Some schools will also have a number of different grades of report reflecting the seriousness of the punishment.

A student may be placed on report for a fixed time period, such as a week, or until their behaviour improves. Their parents may also voluntarily place them on report.

In the U.S., this kind of report card is usually referred to as a Conduct Card, to differentiate it from the report card issued with grades each term or after each marking period. In many schools, the Conduct Card is issued to any student who has received a failing grade in Conduct for the previous marking period. Usual practice in the U.S. requires a student to present the card to each teacher each day for a week. The teacher confirms the student's presence in the class and, most importantly, enters a Conduct grade for the class. If the student fails to receive a passing grade in Conduct from each teacher for a full week, the usual practice is for the student to carry the card again for another week.

Among other refinements, in order to emphasize failures, teachers often enter a failing grade with red ink or circle it in red, although red ink may also be used to signify a grade subject to revision. Although issuance of a Conduct Card or placing a student on report is not a physical punishment, the psychological impact on some students may be significant since some teachers have been known to award a failing grade on the final day of each week so as to renew the punishment indefinitely. Each week the student may hope to escape from carrying the card but is frustrated by a teacher's seizing on a minor lapse in behaviour to fail the student and thus continue the punishment. Ancillary effects of the punishment may include the students being excluded from participation in extracurricular activities or ineligibility for any privileges while carrying the card.

Suspension

Suspension is mandatory leave assigned to a student as a form of punishment that can last anywhere from one day to several weeks during which time the student cannot attend regular school lessons. The student's parents/guardians are usually notified as to the reason for and the duration of the out of school suspension. Sometimes students have to complete work during their suspensions for which they receive no credit. Also, upon returning to school, it is often mandatory that the student, his/her parents/guardians, and a school administrator have a meeting to discuss and evaluate the matter.

Exclusion

Exclusion or expulsion is the removal of a student permanently from the school. This is generally a last resort. Some education authorities have a nominated school in which all excluded students are collected; this typically has a much higher staffing level than mainstream schools.

Other sanctions

Other lesser sanctions may also apply, including loss of privileges, additional homework, and/or chores. For milder offences, students may be moved to another seat or positioned at the front of the class. They may also be asked to stand in the corner. Old-fashioned punishments, such as being forced to wear a dunce cap, are now much less common.

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