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Punishments Work … Sometimes
I don’t like it when a teacher punishes my friend
—High School Student
Punishment in school is synonymous with discipline. It shouldn’t be, but unfortunately it is. The etymology of discipline clearly connects it with disciple, an ardent follower, a learner, a pupil, or a student. Would that our student learners were ardent followers of the learning process. Instead, discipline is equated with the practice of training children to obey rules and a prescribed code of behavior. Teachers are taught to use punishment to enforce accepted patterns of behavior and to correct disobedience and unruly behavior—thus perfecting moral character. Since they are responsible for the welfare of all children in their care, that ...
