Considerations for Implementing School Wide Restorative Practices
Schools should embark on all new practices with research and intentionality. One way to start the exploration of restorative practices is through a needs assessment. A needs assessment typically includes a defined approach such as the one outlined below. There are other approaches; this is not an exclusive approach.
Additionally, there are several schools that share their implementation guides.
Implementing Restorative Justice: A Guide for Schools: Download Implementing Restorative Justice: A Guide for Schools: Comprehensive state guide from Illinois.
Colorado Restorative Practices in Schools Guidelines: Links to an external site. Similar guide from Colorado, with a better focus on implementation science.
Chicago Public Schools Restorative Practice Guide and Toolkit: Download Chicago Public Schools Restorative Practice Guide and Toolkit: This guide looks out how RPs map onto an MTSS system and gives practices across the tiers good explanation.
1. Assess Needs: Are suspensions, expulsions, and arrests at your school higher than they should be? Is there a disparity in your school's discipline practices? Does your school have a safe, fair, and positive learning environment?
2. Engage the School Community: Are staff, parents, students, or community members unhappy with discipline practices and outcomes? Are they concerned about the negative impact of punitive discipline?
3. Hire a Restorative Justice Coordinator: A full-time restorative justice coordinator working for the school is ideal. Alternatively, a trained and motivated vice-principal, dean, or counselor can manage training and school-wide implementation of restorative practices.
4. Begin Training: Plan a series of training, starting with an introductory session early in the school year for as many staff as possible.
5. School-Wide Implementation: Following an introductory training before the school year begins, put what you've learned into practice with coaching from the RJ coordinator or other designated person. Practice restorative conversation techniques in the hallways, cafeteria, playground, and classrooms. Do classroom circles to generate shared values, or short check-in and check-out circles at the beginning and end of class.
6. Institute Restorative Discipline: The RJ coordinator or designated administrator begins to use restorative alternatives for disciplinary infractions. Students returning from an absence due to incarceration, suspension, or expulsion will participate in reentry circles. Many of these practices will involve parents. Follow-up is critical. Revise the school discipline manual and create referral forms to support restorative discipline practices. Develop a database to document restorative interventions and outcomes.
7. Involve Students in Peer Restorative Practices: Train students to promote and facilitate circles. Empower them to create a safe and respectful space to talk through instead of fighting through differences.
8. Be Sure to Evaluate: To make sure you're on track, review, and analyze data quarterly. Compare past and present data on physical altercations, suspension rates and incidents, racial disparities in school discipline, standardized test scores, and truancy.