Detention vs. Suspension — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 1, 2024
Detention involves a student staying in school during a designated time as punishment, focusing on minor misconducts, whereas suspension entails temporary removal from school, addressing more serious violations.
Difference Between Detention and Suspension
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Detention is a disciplinary measure where students are required to stay at school before or after regular hours, usually as a consequence of minor rule violations. On the other hand, suspension involves temporarily removing a student from their regular school environment due to more severe breaches of school policies.
While detention does not typically affect a student's academic attendance, as it occurs within the school day's extension, suspension results in a student missing classes, which can impact their academic performance and continuity.
Detentions are generally short-term, lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Conversely, suspensions can range from a day to several weeks, reflecting the more serious nature of the infractions that warrant such a penalty.
During detention, students might be asked to complete homework or reflect on their behavior, maintaining an educational component. However, during suspension, students are often at home without structured educational support, which can lead to a gap in learning.
A record of detention is usually not as prominently noted in a student’s permanent academic record, whereas a suspension is more likely to be documented and reviewed for future decisions regarding the student’s educational journey.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Staying in school as punishment
Temporary removal from school
Severity
For minor infractions
For serious violations
Duration
From minutes to a few hours
From a day to several weeks
Educational Impact
May involve educational tasks
Often lacks educational support
Record Keeping
Less likely to affect permanent record
Likely noted in permanent academic record
Compare with Definitions
Detention
A punishment where students must stay at school outside normal hours.
He received a detention for talking back to his teacher.
Suspension
May require the student to stay at home.
During his suspension, he had to stay home for a week.
Detention
A disciplinary action involving extra time at school without classes.
She had to write an essay during her detention.
Suspension
A school's decision to temporarily exclude a student.
His fight in the cafeteria resulted in a three-day suspension.
Detention
Used by schools to manage minor behavioral issues.
Detention is often a deterrent against minor disruptions.
Suspension
Removes student from normal school activities.
She was on suspension and missed the final exams.
Detention
Requires the student's presence in a specified area.
Detention usually takes place in the school library.
Suspension
Intended as a consequence for more severe behavior.
Repeated offenses can lead to suspension.
Detention
Focuses on reflection and sometimes academic work.
During detention, students reflect on their actions.
Suspension
Often involves a review of the student's conduct.
The principal will review his conduct after the suspension.
Detention
The action of detaining someone or the state of being detained in official custody
The fifteen people arrested were still in police detention
Suspension
An interruption or temporary cessation, as of an activity or of the application of a rule or law.
Detention
The act of detaining.
Suspension
A temporary prohibition or exclusion, as from attending school or enjoying a privilege, especially as a punishment.
Detention
A period of temporary custody while awaiting trial.
Suspension
A postponement, as of a judgment, opinion, or decision.
Detention
A holding of a person in custody or confinement by authorities for political or military reasons.
Suspension
The prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into a following chord to create a temporary dissonance.
Detention
A form of punishment by which a student is made to stay after regular school hours.
Suspension
The tone or tones so prolonged.
Detention
(uncountable) The act of detaining or the state of being detained.
Suspension
A device from which a mechanical part is suspended.
Detention
(countable) A temporary state of custody or confinement.
Suspension
The system of springs and other devices that insulates the chassis of a vehicle from shocks transmitted through the wheels.
Detention
(law) Confinement of a prisoner awaiting trial.
Suspension
(Chemistry) A system in which minute particles are dispersed throughout a fluid from which they are easily filtered but not easily settled because of system viscosity or molecular interactions.
Detention
(pedagogy) A punishment given to a student for a minor infraction, typically requiring the student to report to a designated room during recess or outside of school hours to work on homework or perform busywork.
Be stuck in detention
Suspension
The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended.
Suspension from a hook
Detention
(civil law) The bare physical control without the mental element of intention required for possession.
Suspension
A temporary or conditional delay, interruption or discontinuation.
Detention
The act of detaining or keeping back; a withholding.
Suspension
The state of a solid or substance produced when its particles are mixed with, but not dissolved in, a fluid, and are capable of separation by straining.
Detention
The state of being detained (stopped or hindered); delay from necessity.
Suspension
Thus a kind of silt or sludge.
Detention
Confinement; restraint; custody.
The archduke Philip . . . found himself in a sort of honorable detention at Henry's court.
Suspension
The act of keeping a person who is listening in doubt and expectation of what is to follow.
Detention
A state of being confined (usually for a short time);
His detention was politically motivated
The prisoner is on hold
He is in the custody of police
Suspension
The temporary barring of a person from a workplace, society, etc. pending investigation into alleged misconduct.
Detention
A punishment in which a student must stay at school after others have gone home;
The detention of tardy pupils
Suspension
(education) The process of barring a student from school grounds as a form of punishment (particularly out-of-school suspension).
Suspension from school as a disciplinary measure
Suspension
(music) The act of or discord produced by prolonging one or more tones of a chord into the chord which follows, thus producing a momentary discord, suspending the concord which the ear expects.
Suspension
A stay or postponement of the execution of a sentence, usually by letters of suspension granted on application to the Lord Ordinary.
Suspension
(topology) A topological space derived from another by taking the product of the original space with an interval and collapsing each end of the product to a point.
Suspension
(topology) A function derived, in a standard way, from another, such that the instant function’s domain and codomain are suspensions of the original function’s.
Suspension
(vehicle) The system of springs and shock absorbers connected to the wheels in an automobile, which allows the vehicle to move smoothly with reduced shock to its occupants.
Suspension
The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended; pendency; as, suspension from a hook.
Suspension
Especially, temporary delay, interruption, or cessation
Suspension
A conditional withholding, interruption, or delay; as, the suspension of a payment on the performance of a condition.
Suspension
The state of a solid when its particles are mixed with, but undissolved in, a fluid, and are capable of separation by straining; also, any substance in this state.
Suspension
A keeping of the hearer in doubt and in attentive expectation of what is to follow, or of what is to be the inference or conclusion from the arguments or observations employed.
Suspension
A stay or postponement of execution of a sentence condemnatory by means of letters of suspension granted on application to the lord ordinary.
Suspension
The prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into the chord which follows, thus producing a momentary discord, suspending the concord which the ear expects. Cf. Retardation.
Suspension
A mixture in which fine particles are suspended in a fluid where they are supported by buoyancy
Suspension
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Suspension
Temporary cessation or suspension
Suspension
An interruption in the intensity or amount of something
Suspension
A mechanical system of springs or shock absorbers connecting the wheels and axles to the chassis of a wheeled vehicle
Suspension
The act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely);
There was a small ceremony for the hanging of the portrait
Suspension
A temporary debarment (from a privilege or position etc)
Common Curiosities
Is suspension always served at home?
Most suspensions are served at home, but some schools may have in-school suspension programs.
What types of behaviors might lead to suspension?
Behaviors like fighting, vandalism, or severe disobedience can lead to suspension.
What is detention in a school context?
Detention is a disciplinary measure requiring a student to stay at school beyond normal hours.
Can detention affect a student’s academic record?
Detention rarely affects a student’s academic record significantly.
Can students complete schoolwork during detention?
Yes, students often use detention time to complete homework or other assignments.
How does suspension differ from detention?
Suspension is the temporary exclusion from school, usually for serious infractions, unlike detention which is for less severe issues.
How long can a student be detained in school?
Detention can last from thirty minutes to several hours after school.
Are parents notified of detention and suspension?
Yes, schools typically inform parents about both detention and suspension.
What happens to a student’s education during suspension?
During suspension, students often miss important classroom time and assignments.
What is the usual duration of a suspension?
Suspension can last from one day up to several weeks, depending on the infraction.
Do all schools use detention and suspension?
Most schools have policies for detention and suspension, but practices can vary.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
