Restorative Practices in K-12 Schools
Following our successful conference called Transforming Discipline: Building Community through Restorative Practices, the conference partners are working together to bring Restorative Practices into schools in Maine. The partners are Maine Law & Civics Education, the Peace Studies program at the University of Maine, and the Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast in Belfast.
Restorative rather than punitive approaches deal more effectively with student misbehavior by encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions and find ways to "make things right" with those they have harmed. Restorative discipline empowers students to be accountable for their actions in a school environment that is caring and responsive. Restorative discipline focuses on relationships and community, rather than on punishment (generally isolation) for breaking rules. The accountability comes from the harmer agreeing to repair the harm caused. The process includes the person or persons harmed in deciding on the consequences. Restorative consequences may be apologies, restitution, community service and other agreed-upon ways to repair the harm and move forward.
A comprehensive, whole-school approach incorporates various restorative practices throughout the school. These practices may include conflict resolution and relational literacy programs; using Circles for relationship-building and problem-solving; Detention Circles for deciding on consequences for student misbehavior; restorative dialogue between staff and students to address misbehavior; and formal, facilitated Conferences which may include administrators, those harmed, the harmer, and their parents and/or supporters in order to hear from the parties and develop an agreement to repair the harm and change future behavior. A restorative school has a school-wide emphasis on building a culture of respect and care.
Restorative practices are proving successful in schools across the country and in Maine. Within a whole school approach, these practices build a caring school community that supports students, staff and administrators in feeling connected and respected, which enhances learning outcomes. Restorative practices create safe schools where all members of the community are accountable for their actions, resolve conflicts, create positive relationships, and build an inclusive, respectful school culture.
If your school is interested in exploring a whole school approach, contact one of the partners in your area:
Pam Anderson, Portland 207-780-4991
email pamelaa@usm.maine.edu
Barbara Blazej, Orono 207-581-2625
email barbara_blazej@umit.maine.edu
Margaret Micolichek, Belfast 207-338-3320
email margaret@rjpmidcoast.org