Restorative practices provide alternatives to punitive practices, such as exclusionary discipline and zero tolerance policies. Restorative practices are important for elementary school counselors because they help repair the harm students do to one another while building positive relationships between and among students. A lack of understanding…

This phenomenological qualitative study examined school leaders' perceptions of using restorative practices within their schools. Participants included twelve school leaders who had experience with utilizing and implementing restorative practices. School leaders included: principals, assistant principals, deans, and administrative assistants.…

The purpose of this study was to examine music teachers' perceptions and implementations of restorative justice practices in their classrooms. I collected data through a survey of music teachers (N = 1,658) in a Mid-Atlantic state that requires restorative justice practices to be used as a school-wide discipline method in all public schools. The…

Restorative practices are gaining traction as alternative approaches to student conflict and harm in schools, potentially surpassing disciplinary methods in effectiveness. In the current article, we contribute to the evolving understanding of restorative practices in schools by examining qualitative responses from educators regarding restorative…

Across the country, many schools have adopted restorative practices in an effort to improve school climate and student outcomes while reducing exclusionary discipline. Restorative practices are designed to proactively build community, improve relationships, and help students amend harm when conflict occurs. Using 6 years of student survey data and…

Most schools have a code of conduct that guides their expectations for student behaviors. While schools' policies around discipline are believed to help deter further negative behavioral incidents, restorative practices is a field of study that strives to proactively build community and social coherence rather than exclusionary consequences…

Male students of color often receive harsher disciplinary consequences than their same age White peers. Disproportionate discipline practices have existed within the education system for years, primarily due to a historical systemic issue of implicit bias due to race. One intervention used to quell some of these disparities is Restorative…

This quantitative study delves into the intricate relationship between Knowles' andragogical teaching style and the implementation of restorative practices in secondary schools. The research takes root in the growing need to move beyond zero-tolerance policies that have demonstrably led to concerning trends such as heightened suspension rates,…

This dissertation examines the impact of restorative practices on reducing discipline disparities among Latino youth in educational settings. Historically, Latino students have faced educational and socioeconomic inequalities that have resulted in reduced academic opportunities, lower graduation rates, and a persistent cycle of poverty. While…

This dissertation presents an in-depth examination of the effectiveness of restorative practices in a high school setting. The study was conducted in a regional high school and included both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The results of the study show that restorative practices can significantly improve student behavior and…

Restorative practices can serve as a proactive approach to address behavior in a way that not only repairs harm and restores relationships, but also creates stronger communities. Using a circle-style conversation to elicit our perceptions of the potential of these practices to support and advance liberatory principles, we sought to uncover the…

This study examined the use of restorative practices in one school district. As examined in this study, restorative practices are defined as processes that precede wrongdoing in an attempt to prevent discipline offenses from occurring and processes used to respond once an offense has occurred. The purpose of the study was to examine teacher…

This dissertation explores the perceptions of administrators, teachers, and other school personnel regarding the effectiveness of restorative practices in addressing disciplinary infractions within school settings. Grounded in a phenological design approach, the study investigates lived experiences to understand how individuals perceive and engage…

Education is the cornerstone of American society. However, American society has a long history of providing unequal access to education resources, often to the detriment of Black children. Black children are often perceived as threatening, even when only 4 years old. Relative to their White peers, Black children receive a disproportionately high…

Restorative practices and trauma-informed practices are being implemented in schools to improve the learning environment and reduce discipline referrals. This study aimed to determine how educators' level of understanding regarding restorative practices and trauma could affect how they interact with students that have experienced trauma. This…