Why should schools shift to Restorative Practices?

Restorative Schools Toolkit

Most school districts are struggling with many issues related to school climate, safety, discipline/behavior, graduation rates, teacher retention, parent involvement, dwindling resources and much more. Restorative Justice Practices can help schools improve these issues and student outcomes which is why many schools are shifting to Restorative Practices and away from zero-tolerance and exclusionary discipline that aren’t improving our schools.

Exclusionary and punitive discipline leads to worse outcomes for students, schools, families and communities including the School to Prison Pipeline and is an issue for most of our school districts. The term “school to prison pipeline” came out of the broader “Cradle to Prison Pipeline” campaign initiated by Children’s Defense Fund.

Restorative Justice Takes on Oakland Schools