Why detentions work

By 2025-01-28T07:09:00

A high school student in detention dreams about the football practice they are missing

Source: © Claudia Flandoli

Because they deter negative behaviours and paralyse peer pressure

Teachers and school leaders establish a set of rules that create a learning environment in which students feel safe. These rules include the school’s ethos and reward system as well as sanctions, such as detentions. In this article, science teacher, lead practitioner of whole-school CPD and CogSciSci editor Adam Robbins argues that detentions are an effective deterrent for those who may be inclined to bad behaviour.

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