Restorative Practices is an emerging social science that studies how to strengthen relationships between individuals as well as social connections within communities. Research demonstrates that the use of Restorative Practices improves school climate and reduces student suspensions and discipline disparities. Research has shown that frequent out-of-school suspensions, zero-tolerance policies, and “get-tough” approaches to school safety are ineffective and increase the risk for negative social and academic outcomes, especially for children from historically disadvantaged groups.
Approaching school discipline from an instructional prevention-based standpoint as with Restorative Practices contributes to a positive school environment and ensures equity, fairness, and continuous improvement. PWCS continues to increase the number of school staff trained in Restorative Practices and Restorative Practice teams throughout the division. Restorative practices are grounded in the need to keep schools safe by building relationships that strengthen the school social structure. Restorative practices incorporate opportunities for school community involvement in the resolution of wrongdoing while empowering students and staff members to take personal responsibility for the well-being of the entire school community.
Restorative practices provide direct opportunities for students who have harmed others to be accountable to those they have harmed, including themselves and their families. Restorative practices emphasize the need to educate students who have harmed others about the effects of disruptive behavior on those harmed, as well as on the school community. Participants in a restorative discipline process learn the underlying factors that lead to making poor decisions. They practice social skills and learn self-improvement strategies that encourage better decision-making in the future.