Cheating in school is a fairly common thing, but cheating can lead to further issues later on in life. By instating harsher punishments, it might deter students from cheating. One option is physical punishment, which is legal in around 20 states. This would cause students to think twice before cheating, because no one likes physical punishment, at least I don't. 

However, students shouldn't be punished for trying to get good grades. If you want to get into an ivy league college, you need a good GPA. Students might feel the pressure of getting these outstanding grades on tests and assignments and will feel the need to cheat their way through it. Cheating is a surefire way to get a good grade if executed properly.

In my opinion, I feel like harsher punishments for cheating in school shouldn't be a thing. There isn't a direct correlation between cheating in school and performing  bad deeds later in life, it's merely a coincidence. If I need a good grade on my assignment, I would rather cheat than ruin my chances of maintaining a good grade. As long as you keep it only in your school life, it shouldn't be too impactful on your future.