You enter a classroom in the 1990s, and what hits you is not the smell of markers or pencil sharpeners, but the tension. At that time, there was a high level of discipline, and almost every fourteenth high school student was suspended. Educators exercised power as army generals, and the children either obeyed or suffered.
Dress codes suppressed individuality, corporal punishment was the norm, and one was not allowed to talk during lunch breaks. Schools were rather military institutions than learning institutions.
Jump to 2025, and everything has switched around. Schools today are concerned with mental wellness, inclusivity, and restorative discipline. Management in the classroom is also critical, and 82 percent of teachers report that it is essential; however, the classroom management process is now much more accommodating and student-centered.
Teachers could use physical punishment
During the 90s, corporal punishment was the norm. Teachers stored wooden paddles in their offices and would use them to discipline any student who misbehaved. Parents tended to approve this because they thought it was a way of teaching respect.
Punishment protocols were institutionalized: students were taken to the office, parents were informed, and then there was the paddle. Other schools went as far as letting kids pick their own switch off a tree outside–combining physical punishment with psychological threats.
Most schools around the world nowadays prohibit corporal punishment. Research has shown that it is detrimental to mental health and that positive reinforcement and restorative justice have replaced it in school. Suspension rates continue to fall even further than they were in the 90s.
Dress codes controlled every detail
The dressing of the 90s was choking. On hot days, girls were not allowed to wear capri pants without pantyhose. Nail polish, open-toed shoes, and tank tops were prohibited. Shorts were required to reach the fingertips, and in summer, kids had to wear knee-length Bermuda shorts.
Boys were subject to rules about strict hair length, tight shirts, and no earrings. There were even schools that prohibited some colors based on gang affiliations. There was conformity rather than comfort or individuality.
Nowadays, dress codes are less strict, focusing more on safety and propriety, while also allowing for freedom of expression. Friendlier education philosophies are linked to individuality and diversity, which are welcome in schools.
Silence was enforced during lunch
Lunchrooms at the time were terribly quiet. No one was allowed to talk, and hawks were the monitors who hushed down the kids. The students invented hand signs to communicate with each other, making lunch a bizarre game of charades.
Socialization at lunch is now promoted. Research indicates that peer attachment is beneficial to mental well-being and social competence. Schools recognize the need to strike a balance between maintaining order and fostering positive engagement.
Food and drinks were banned in classrooms
In the 90s, fountains of water were the only resort; even cough drops had to be authorized by a physician. Educators were afraid that meals would produce a lot of mess and noise.
Nowadays, it is common in many schools to provide healthy snacks and water bottles, especially during long classes or for students with specific dietary requirements or medical needs. The latter also justifies the increased emphasis on student comfort and wellness.
Teachers could smoke in school
Now it sounds unrealistic, but teachers were able to smoke inside classrooms or lounges. Cigarette smoke would creep through hallways, and even teachers would take smoke breaks outside their classrooms, leaving students unattended.
Smoking on school grounds will be illegal across the board by 2025. The prohibition of tobacco in schools has now helped create a healthier learning environment.
Public humiliation was a common punishment
Students who struggle academically were often publicly shamed. They were put in corners, capped with dunce caps, or sent to the chalkboard by teachers to write in front of the entire school.
Individual conversations, praise, and restorative practices have replaced these strategies in current classrooms. It has also been established that publicly shaming someone hurts a person’s emotional state and self-esteem.
Classroom walls were kept bare
The walls of the classrooms were sterile and cold in the 90s. Student artwork, posters, and decorations were considered distracting. Those teachers who included anything were warned.
Classrooms today are bright and attractive with learning materials and student projects around them. It is well known that positive environments support learning and motivation.
Rigid door policies
During the 1990s, there was no balance, as classroom doors were either constantly open to observe the classrooms or locked to prevent burglary. This can be particularly confusing during emergencies and disrupts one’s comfort.
Schools are more secure (controlled access, personalizable door policy which may be changed in response to security needs, instructional needs).
Substitute teachers were unprepared
In the absence of the regular teacher, there was usually chaos. Substitutes typically lacked training and were given minimal instructions, and students were left to their own devices.
Substitute systems are no longer amateurish as they now have lesson plans, protocols, and administrative support. This facilitates continuity of learning and minimizes stress among all individuals.
Strict appearance rules limited self-expression
The dress codes of the 90s were applied to personal appearance. Nail polish, open-toed shoes, even hairstyles or accessories were prohibited. There was not much freedom in individuality.
In the modern world, schools are not about suppressing individuality. Self-expression has no adverse effect on learning and helps build identities.
Key takeaway
The classroom rules of the 90s were a sign of an iron-fisted and conformist era. Corporal punishment, humiliation, and total prohibition were seen as the way of ensuring order.
A modern school, by contrast, is all about inclusiveness and respect as well as mental health. The outdated rules have given way to processes that can help students develop and improve their welfare.
In retrospect, it is pronounced how education has changed. The schools have transcended the status quo and embraced better strategies that make them safe and more convenient environments where students can excel.
Disclaimer–This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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Don’t swipe until you read this: The 7 best credit cards for 2025 ranked by rewards
The 7 Best Credit Cards for 2025 Ranked by Rewards
There’s this moment that sticks with me—standing at a checkout line, swiping my old card like I always did, and thinking, “Wait… why am I not getting anything back for this?” I wasn’t traveling on points. I wasn’t getting cash back. I was just spending. Sound familiar?
Look, the truth is, credit cards can work for you—if you choose the right one. And in 2025, you’ve got some seriously rewarding options that can actually boost your bank account. From travel lovers to grocery haulers, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s break down the best credit cards out there this year—the ones that actually give back.
16 grocery staples to stock up on before prices spike again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
