A detention is a common form of discipline that schools and teachers use to discipline students for bad behavior. When a student is given a detention they have to stay after school for a specified amount of time which is usually between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the teacher and/or the schools detention policy. During detention the student has to stay in a room away from the rest of their peers and is expected to be quiet.
Who Gives Detentions?
Detentions can be given by a classroom teacher or by a school administrator.
The teacher or administrator assigning the detention should also contact parents or guardians so that they are aware of why their student is staying after school.
Students and their parents will also have to arrange for transportation after the detention.
What Do You Do During A Detention?
Nothing.
Really, students don’t do anything during a detention except sit there until the time has passed.
This is their punishment for misbehaving.
There may be some teachers that will allow a student to read or do homework but in my opinion they really shouldn’t because a detention is meant to be a punishment.
When the detention ends the student leaves.
Detentions after school usually last 20 to 60 minutes.
Reasons For Getting A Detention
Some of the most common reasons for a detention include disruptive behavior, swearing/cursing, being tardy to class too many times, disrespect, and just about anything that you shouldn’t do in the classroom.
Detentions are a last ditch effort after other forms of discipline and accountability have been already been given.
Before a detention a teacher may try contacting a parent/guardian about behavior and work with them to minimize the disruption so that a detention is never issued.
Another strategy to try before giving a detention is giving the student a warning and talking to them about why they are being disruptive.
Honestly, a detention is bad for the student as well as the teacher.
Why?
Well the teacher also has to stay with the student in detention after school and can’t go home until the detention ends!
Good grief!