Restorative Justice Approach to Discipline in Schools
Restorative justice is an integral part to our school system and society. It helps to empower students to resolve conflicts in small groups with a facilitator present. Once students learn how to resolve conflicts on their own it will be essential part of their every day life. Restorative justice programs have proven to strengthen school communities, prevent student conflicts, prevent bullying, reduce suspension and expulsion rates.
"Restorative discipline seeks to build a stronger community by involving the whole school community in the positive resolution of wrong doing by using conflict as an opportunity to strengthen positive relationships."
"An effective process for conducting positive discipline- a structured process for addressing harm that meets the needs of those harmed while promoting accountability and responsibility for wrongdoers."
"Peace Circles is a useful structure for generating and articulating shared values and translating these into a set of common and explicit behavioral norms for conduct within the school community."