Restorative Justice

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

See also: Discipline

Danny Perez, a 7th grader at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael, Calif., faces a court of his peers for getting involved in a fight. Kristy Treewater, the school’s assistant principal, sits by his side to monitor the student-run session.
Danny Perez, a 7th grader at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael, Calif., faces a court of his peers in 2012 for getting involved in a fight. Kristy Treewater, the school’s assistant principal, sits next to him. Interventions like these, called "restorative justice," have gained popularity as an alternative to suspensions.
Sarah Rice for Education Week
School Climate & Safety What the Research Says Restrictions on Suspending Students From School Show Evidence of Being Effective
New research suggests restrictions on exclusionary discipline can work with support.
Sarah D. Sparks, September 28, 2023
5 min read
Teaching Video Teachers, Try This: Use Restorative Justice to Solve Student Conflicts
In this kindergarten classroom, students learn conflict resolution skills through a short restorative justice practice.
Kaylee Domzalski, July 5, 2023
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Illustration by Chris Whetzel for Education Week
Equity & Diversity The Ongoing Challenges, and Possible Solutions, to Improving Educational Equity
Schools across the country were facing major equity challenges before the pandemic, but its disruptions exacerbated them.
Eesha Pendharkar, January 26, 2023
4 min read
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Illustration by Chris Whetzel for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Here's How the Pandemic Changed School Discipline
Students were suspended less frequently but Black, poor, and disabled students were punished at higher rates after the pandemic.
Eesha Pendharkar, November 28, 2022
5 min read
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Student Well-Being Opinion What Can Schools Do as Trauma Continues to Rear Its Ugly Head?
When a student displays unacceptable behavior, educators could first turn to conversation instead of resorting to traditional discipline.
Lisa Meade, March 20, 2022
4 min read
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D.C. Public Schools and Aldine Public Schools, two of the nation’s largest school districts, are using social-emotional learning, trauma-responsive and restorative practices to ensure each student has the supports in place to learn and thrive.
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Teaching Opinion What It Takes to Apply Restorative Practices in Schools
Seven educators provide practical recommendations on how to apply restorative practices in the school setting. One tip: "Results won't be immediate," but "they will be long lasting."
Larry Ferlazzo, January 14, 2020
17 min read
Teaching Opinion Ways to Implement Restorative Practices in the Classroom
Educators share their practical experience implementing restorative practices in their schools, such as holding goal-setting conferences with students and teaching them "the power of an apology."
Larry Ferlazzo, January 9, 2020
22 min read
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School Climate & Safety More Schools Are Reporting Serious Violence and Hiring Police
New federal data point to upticks in the percentages of schools reporting violent crimes, hiring school police, and undertaking gentler, more proactive efforts to deal with students’ misbehavior.
Stephen Sawchuk, July 25, 2019
5 min read
Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot speaks during her inauguration ceremony Monday, May 20, 2019, in Chicago.
Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot speaks during her inauguration ceremony Monday, May 20, 2019, in Chicago.
Jim Young/AP
School Climate & Safety School Police Operations to Get an Overhaul in Two Big-City Districts
Municipal leaders in both Chicago and New York are seeking arrangements that are less reliant on assigning local police officers to work in schools.
Stephen Sawchuk, July 3, 2019
8 min read
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School Climate & Safety Opinion If You Won't Do Restorative Justice Right, Don't Do It
My school tried its best at restorative justice, but we needed something more than good intentions: resources and training, writes former teacher Allison Fried.
Allison Fried, June 13, 2019
5 min read
Abigail Belch, an 8th grader at DuPont Hadley Middle School, is serving her second year on the school’s student-led court.
Abigail Belch, an 8th grader at DuPont Hadley Middle School, is serving her second year on the school’s student-led court.
Abigail Belch
School Climate & Safety Opinion My School's Peer Court Helps Students Make Amends
The goal of DuPont Hadley Middle School's youth-led court is to help fellow student take steps to repair harm they cause through bad choices and behavior, writes 8th grader Abigail Belch, a second year member of the court who is currently its bailiff.
Abigail Belch, March 12, 2019
3 min read
Angela Ward
Angela Ward
Julia Robinson for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Leader To Learn From Confronting and Combatting Bias in Schools
Claiming a school is inclusive doesn’t make it so, says 2019 Leader To Learn From Angela Ward. Building environments where everyone feels valued and supported takes a commitment to challenging, thoughtful work, she believes.
Evie Blad, February 20, 2019
9 min read