Restorative Practices at a Glance

Definition

Restorative practices (RP) are intended to involve all parties affected by a specific offense or situation in order to understand and address the problem. They aim to ensure the needs, harms, and obligations are addressed in an effort to collectively heal and ensure things are made right.¹ 

The principle and goal are simple: to create an environment in which individuals work with authority figures rather than for them, which encourages individuals to work collaboratively to make positive changes and ensure wrongdoings are corrected in a way that benefits all parties.²

Quick Facts – RP is:

• The core of trauma-informed, equitable, and effective approaches.³ 
• Repairing damaged relationships.⁴ 
• Infusing learning communities with a sense of belonging and strong relationships.⁵ 
• Identifying conflict as an opportunity to improve and strengthen relationships.⁶ 
• Developing accountability, cooperation, problem-solving, and trust.⁷

Misunderstandings – RP is not:

• A zero-tolerance methodology.⁷
• Avoidance of accountability or consequences.⁷ 
• A short-term solution.⁸ 
• Ignoring bad behavior.⁹

Did You Know:

• When implemented comprehensively, restorative practices have many benefits including improved climate and safety, increased school connectedness, the development of conflict resolution skills, improved academic performance, and social emotional learning.¹⁰ 
• A restorative approach in a school shifts the emphasis from managing behavior to focusing on the building, nurturing, and repairing of relationships.¹¹
• Studies regarding the effectiveness of school-based restorative programs suggest such programs not only decrease suspensions but also the number of fights and other violent acts, the amount of substance abuse, and the number of police visits to the school.^{9, 12, 13}

Collaborators

• Carolyn Seiger (Instructional Designer, National Center for School Safety)
• Allison Schreiber, MAIR (School Safety Specialist, National Center for School Safety)
• Heather Murphy, MA, LPC, NCC (School Safety Specialist, National Center for School Safety)
• Aysha Lonich, MEd, BCBA (School Safety Specialist, National Center for School Safety)
• Sarah Mason, MPH (Research Assistant, National Center for School Safety)
• Erin Wyatt (Marketing Communications Specialist, National Center for School Safety)