Restorative Justice in Context: Crafting State Law to Meet the Legal and Cultural Needs of Schools

• In Event: 34.095 - MTCC Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: 34.095-12 - Ed Law SIG Roundtable: Restorative Justice

Abstract

Recently, restorative approaches to discipline and justice have been touted as an alternative to the common punitive frameworks that have historically been used in American public schools. However, recent attempts at law-based reforms have been entirely insufficient. State legislators only further complicate the already incredibly difficult disciplinary decisions of administrators and teachers by mandating vague directives about restorative justice and failing to provide any guidance or formal support to help school implement them. This paper provides a review and critique of the current legal school discipline reforms coming out of Utah in recent years and suggests ways that legal reform efforts can be crafted to inspire and support schools in culturally meaningful policy changes.

Author

• Elisse n Newey, Brigham Young University