Restorative Practices
Although there are many definitions of restorative practices, we refer to one offered by the International Institute of Restorative Practices:
"To build community and to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and restoring relationships."
Mel Motel from Just Schools Project and restorative practices trainer Kara McLaughlin emphasize that the following key concepts are foundational to restorative practices:
Using restorative processes such as circles, conferencing, and one-on-one restorative conversations support a restorative school or organization. However, a school or organization becomes fully restorative through a long-term, intentional, system-wide shift towards valuing community and relationships over rules and consequences.
Schools that have implemented restorative practices have seen increased school connectedness, graduation rates, student engagement, and academic performance, as well as decreased suspensions, expulsions, racial disparities, and more.
We recommend reading "Restorative Justice in Schools Outcomes and Indicators," compiled by Jon Kidde, for examples of school successes.
"To build community and to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and restoring relationships."
Mel Motel from Just Schools Project and restorative practices trainer Kara McLaughlin emphasize that the following key concepts are foundational to restorative practices:
- Community building
- Harm and impact
- Trauma-sensitive approaches
- Support and accountability
- Engagement and empowerment
Using restorative processes such as circles, conferencing, and one-on-one restorative conversations support a restorative school or organization. However, a school or organization becomes fully restorative through a long-term, intentional, system-wide shift towards valuing community and relationships over rules and consequences.
Schools that have implemented restorative practices have seen increased school connectedness, graduation rates, student engagement, and academic performance, as well as decreased suspensions, expulsions, racial disparities, and more.
We recommend reading "Restorative Justice in Schools Outcomes and Indicators," compiled by Jon Kidde, for examples of school successes.
