Time out is a disciplinary technique that is most effective in classrooms of grade-school children. Older children typically don't respond as well to the authoritarian display of the time-out command. Time out involves the use of a chair placed at the side of the classroom. When a teacher notices a student misbehaving, the teacher simply says, "Joe, time out," and the student is expected to move quickly and quietly to the time out chair, where he will spend a few minutes reflecting on his actions. Time out is one of the best classroom punishments because it helps maintain clear limits of acceptable behavior while ensuring the dignity of the student and otherwise uninterrupted classroom activity.
The three strikes classroom punishment gives students three verbal warnings before their punishment for misbehaving is elevated to a higher authority, such as the principal or guidance counselor. One strike is given for each behavioral infraction on the student's part; the teacher is responsible for keeping careful count of which students have how many strikes. The three strikes punishment is one of the best classroom disciplinary methods. It shows respect for the students by giving them more than one opportunity to correct their behavior before further action is taken.
Appealing to a higher authority, such as the principal or guidance counselor, is an effective classroom punishment. It communicates to the student that misbehavior is unacceptable and warrants attention from persons outside the classroom setting. Appealing to a higher authority should be used in cases of stubborn misbehaving by students who have demonstrated a lack of willingness to change, and who are disrupting others' learning experiences. Introducing a higher authority to the situation removes the misbehaving student from the classroom and shouldn't be used as a first resort.
In-school suspensions are issued by the vice principal, principal or other school administrator to whom disciplinary duties fall. When students are issued an in-school suspensions, they must remain in the principal's office, away from the classroom and their peers. They complete their schoolwork alone for the duration of the punishment, typically one school day. A 1984 study found that academic and behavioral counseling provided to students given in-school suspensions resulted in improved self-image and and self-discipline.
Suspension is a more traditional classroom punishment given to students who commit serious violations of the law or school code. A suspension is a prolonged absence from the school that is given to students, during which time -- depending on the discretion of the school's administration -- the student is prohibited from visiting school grounds or enrolling in a different school. For students with serious behavioral problems, suspension grants time and opportunity to reflect on poor choices and actions so that they can return to school with a renewed outlook and improved self-awareness.
Expulsion is the most serious of classroom punishments and usually cannot be issued as a punishment without a hearing with both the student and the administration, during which expulsion will be considered as a possible punishment before it is formally issued. Students who commit serious crimes may be expelled. Students found with a weapon at school, who carry illegal drugs, alcohol or prescription drugs without a prescription or who assault a school employee may be candidates for expulsion. Students convicted of a felony may also be expelled. Expulsion permanently removes a student from the school system, and in some cases other school systems are prohibited from enrolling the student even the student's family moves. Expulsion is one of the best methods of classroom punishment because it permanently removes the student's toxic behavior from the school setting, contributing to a healthy educational environment in which other students can learn successfully.