Fix School Discipline Toolkit for Educators | Page 31
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE and
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
What is it?
Restorative Justice (hereinafter used interchangeably
with restorative practice), originally used in the
justice context and adapted for use in the school
context, is a set of principles and practices centered
on promoting respect, taking responsibility, and
strengthening relationships. Restorative Justice
invites a fundamental shift in the way we think
about and do justice, from punishing individuals
after wrongdoing to repairing harm and preventing
its reoccurrence. It is an “alternative to retributive
zero-tolerance policies that mandate suspension or
expulsion of students from school for a wide variety
of misbehaviors” that are not necessarily violent
or dangerous. The term “Restorative Practices” is
used by a number of practitioners to describe how
the concepts of Restorative Justice are then utilized
to create systems change in the school system.
Hereinafter, Restorative Justice and Restorative
Practices are used interchangeably.
What are the features of successful
Restorative Practices?
The core belief of Restorative Practices is that people
will make positive changes when those in positions of
authority do things with them rather than to them or
for them. Therefore, a successful restorative system:
Acknowledges that relationships are central to
building community
Builds systems that address misbehavior and harm in
a way that strengthens relationships
Focuses on the harm done rather than only on rule
breaking
Gives voice to the person harmed
Engages in collaborative problem solving
Empowers change and growth
Enhances responsibility
How is it different?
Restorative Justice changes the way that schools
think about student discipline and school climate.
Instead of the traditional student-teacheradministration hierarchy, Restorative Justice
emphasizes every school members’ responsibility to
the school community.
Traditional
Approach
Restorative
Approach
School rules are broken.
People and relationships
are harmed.
Justice focuses on
establishing guilt.
Justice identifies needs
and responsibility.
Accountability =
punishment
Accountability =
understanding impact
and repairing harm
Justice directed at the
offender; the victim is
ignored.
Offender, victim, and
school all have direct
roles in the justice
process.
Rules and intent
outweigh whether
outcome is positive or
negative.
Offender is responsible
for harmful behavior,
repairing harm and
working towards positive
outcomes.
Limited opportunity for
expressing remorse or
making amends.
Opportunity given to
make amends and
express remorse.
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