Restorative Justice

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the school discipline alternative, which focuses on accountability and repairing harm

See also: Discipline

Explainer

Restorative Justice in Schools, Explained
What is restorative justice, and how can it be implemented in schools?
Photo of student throwing paper in class.
E+ / Getty
School Climate & Safety Opinion Restorative Justice: The Zero-Tolerance-Policy Overcorrection
Overreliance on "soft discipline" may reduce suspensions, but it doesn’t actually help students or teachers, writes Richard Ullman.
Richard Ullman, September 13, 2016
3 min read
Education The NYT Magazine Ed. Issue: Restorative Justice, Substitutes, and Gay Teens
The New York Times continues its recent tradition of devoting a September issue of the Sunday magazine to interesting education articles.
Mark Walsh, September 9, 2016
3 min read
School Climate & Safety Opinion Georgetown University's Long-Overdue Slavery Apology
The school leader who doesn't know her and his own heart will be unable to understand the reactions others have to actions and decisions.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, September 8, 2016
4 min read
Families & the Community Opinion End of Year Action Plans: A Restorative Practice
By thinking strategically and proactively, we can implement systems which are sustainable and support healthy interactions in our communities. Restorative justice should focus on those things we are DOING -- not on what we choose not to do. How do you actively "wage justice" in this busy and stressful time of year?
John T. McCrann, May 17, 2016
3 min read
Teaching Opinion Response: How to Practice Restorative Justice in Schools
Shane Safir, Jen Adkins, Timothy Hilton, Crystal T. Laura, and Mark Katz share their commentaries on applying restorative practices in schools.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 6, 2016
16 min read
Teaching Opinion What Is Meant By "Restorative" Justice or Practices?
This week's question is: What is restorative justice (also know as restorative practices) and what does it look like in schools?
Larry Ferlazzo, February 3, 2016
1 min read
School Climate & Safety Opinion Addressing Childhood Adversity in Schools
We have been able to come together around a vision of a school that does not ignore the trauma in many children's everyday lives while completely eliminating suspensions.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, January 17, 2016
4 min read
Illustration of students and a teacher.
DigitalVision Vectors
Teaching Opinion Why I've 'Softened' My Classroom-Management Style
Sending kids out of class or out of school doesn’t set them up to be successful, Joanna Schimizzi says, offering a different approach.
Joanna Schimizzi, November 18, 2015
4 min read
School Climate & Safety Restorative Practices Guide Released
The guide echoes much of what we've already heard about discipline reform efforts, but it targets an audience of educators who may have felt left out of the discussion.
Evie Blad, March 20, 2014
1 min read
Illustration of a table and a chair that is overturned.
Instants/E+
Teaching Opinion Reducing Student-Behavior Problems: Notes From a High School Teacher
A high school English teacher says he has learned that more actively engaging students is generally more effective than punitive discipline.
Paul Barnwell, October 14, 2013
8 min read
School Climate & Safety As Restorative Justice Spreads, When Do You Suspend?
As Detroit moves to embrace restorative justice, figuring out when restorative justice doesn't work is still problematic.
Ross Brenneman, April 22, 2013
3 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement Leaders in Attendance, Discipline Reform, Restorative Justice Honored
The three leaders are working on the national, city, and school level to improve students' experiences at school—and to get them there in the first place.
Nirvi Shah, March 6, 2013
1 min read
Timote Vaka, 18, a senior at Ralph J. Bunche High School in Oakland, Calif., is participating in an anger-management program at the behest of the alternative school.
Timote Vaka, 18, a senior at Ralph J. Bunche High School in Oakland, Calif., is participating in an anger-management program at the behest of the alternative school.
Ramin Rahimian
School Climate & Safety 'Restorative Justice' Offers Alternative Discipline Approach
Students with behavior issues are both held accountable and put on a path that gets them to right a wrong.
Nirvi Shah, January 4, 2013
2 min read
School Climate & Safety Series Rethinking Discipline
The articles included in this special series explore alternative approaches to suspension or expulsion.
October 25, 2012